Young Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing has joined the casualty list at Anfield and will be out for six weeks. The 21-year-old suffered an ankle injury at the end of Friday's training session to add to the Reds' concerns.
His injury ahead of Saturday's crucial home clash with West Ham comes with Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva also absent and presents Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson with a selection headache.
He told the club's official website: "Unfortunately, right at the end of the training session, which was five-a-side and not at all a competitive game, he turned his ankle and cracked a small bone just above the ankle in his fibia.
"That means he is going to be missing for six weeks. It is a terrible blow for Jay and us.
"He has been doing ever so well and getting closer and closer to a place in the first team.
"I was considering using him in this game, possibly even starting him."
