Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge faces more time on the sidelines after a scan confirmed he has suffered a slight muscle tear.
The 25-year-old has endured an injury-hit season having spent over four months out between September and January due to thigh and calf strains.
The striker returned to first-team action against West Ham on January 31 and since then has found the back of the net on four occasions for the Reds.
The former Chelsea player was also set to return to international action with England this week before it was confirmed he had suffered a tear to his hip during his club’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield last Sunday.
The injury, yet to be officially confirmed by Liverpool, was revealed by England boss Roy Hodgson and could mean the front man misses another month.
Hodgson said: “I’m disappointed for Daniel because he didn’t really feel that it was any problem. When he did the scan he was devastated as he didn’t want to leave. He has a slight tear and you can’t play through that.”
Sturridge could now miss crucial games against Arsenal and Newcastle in the league, as Liverpool look to close the gap on the top four and secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
The striker could also miss the FA Cup quarter-final replay with Blackburn as well as a potential semi-final date with Aston Villa at Wembley.
The Reds are currently 2.67 second favourites to secure what would be their eighth FA Cup success in May and first since their 2005-06 triumph.
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