Rio Ferdinand will be asked by the Football Association for his mobile phone records before they decide on any charges for missing a drugs test.
It is understood that the FA are to request the records plus some additional information from Manchester United as part of their investigation.
Only then will they decide whether the United defender is to be charged with `failing to attend an anti-doping test' or the more serious offence of `wilful failure to attend an anti-doping test'.
Ferdinand claims he left the Carrington training ground on September 23rd after having forgotten he was supposed to be tested. Frantic efforts by United staff to contact him on his mobile phone failed until that afternoon.
If his phone records prove it was switched off for the hours immediately after leaving training then it will help Ferdinand's mitigation that he did not deliberately avoid the drugs testers.
The FA have been told that United's club doctor Mike Stone told Ferdinand twice about his test - Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and a junior player were also tested - but he still forgot and went off shopping for household goods as he was moving house.
Meanwhile, United chief executive David Gill has confirmed Ferdinand will be available for selection against his former club Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday.
Despite being left out of the England squad last week, the 24-year-old will not be suspended before or after being charged - under FA regulations he is only suspended as a punishment and a ban is by no means certain.