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Liverpool await Gerrard injury update

Steven Gerrard could be set for another spell on the sidelines © Getty Images

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will have to wait until at least Wednesday to discover how long his latest injury will keep him on the sidelines.

Gerrard, who had only recently returned from a groin problem that kept him out of action for six months, missed Liverpool's 2-0 win at West Brom on Saturday and was pictured leaving hospital with his right leg in a protective cast.

The 31-year-old, who initially travelled to the Midlands on Friday with the rest of the squad but was not deemed fit enough to play, is believed to have picked up a knock in training which subsequently became infected and required medical intervention at a Liverpool hospital.

Photographs showing the England midfielder on crutches with what appears to be a knee-high cast or heavy strapping on his leg have raised fears that Gerrard could be set for a long lay-off.

The club will not comment on Gerrard's fitness but it is reported that there will be no prognosis on the problem or definitive decision on what treatment he will undergo until at least Wednesday and possibly later in the week, when the medical team at Melwood have had a chance to fully assess the player.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish confirmed the injury following the game on Saturday, but refused to be drawn on his recovery time.

"Steven has got an infection in his ankle," Dalglish said. "He was in our minds for the game and it just flared up. We will be more accurate next week. It's nothing to do with any injuries before. It's an infection. I suppose it's like having an abscess in your mouth."

Liverpool will almost certainly be without Gerrard for their next Premier League game against Swansea next weekend, while England coach Fabio Capello will also be fearful that the midfielder will miss the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden at Wembley.

After the international break, Liverpool play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge twice - once in the Premier League, once in a Carling Cup quarter-final - and host table-topping Manchester City at Anfield, by which time they will hope that their influential captain has fully recovered.

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