• Premier League

Lucas injury blow for Liverpool

Liverpool's Lucas Leiva has received a fresh injury blow © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Liverpool sweat on Lucas injury
  
• News: Gerrard: It's far too soon to panic
  
• News: Lucas: Rodgers helped my recovery
  
• News: Lucas wary of rushing comeback
  

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been dealt a substantial blow with the news that midfielder Lucas Leiva will be out of action for up to three months with a thigh injury.

The Brazilian was taken off just five minutes into Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, and scans have confirmed a torn thigh muscle for the 25-year-old.

Rodgers confirmed on Wednesday that the player is now expected to be sidelined for "two to three months", as he again begins a lengthy road to recovery.

"It is very unfortunate. He has worked ever so hard to come back and he has been an outstanding player for me and person off the field as well," Rodgers told reporters.

"The indications are two to three months. It is quite a unique injury at the top of his right thigh.

"He has had a scan and we will see a specialist this evening. We'll see if it needs an operation or whether it is just recuperation."

The news comes just weeks after Lucas made his return to action from a cruciate knee ligament injury, one which had sidelined him since December 2011.

Taking to Twitter to express his frustration Lucas wrote: "No words to describe my feelings at the moment. It is been (sic) hard to be positive but I am sure better days will come. YNWA."

Lucas' injury will now pave the way for on-loan signing Nuri Sahin to step in and make an impression against Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, but Rodgers said that the situation with Lucas would not force him into making another late signing before the close of the transfer window on Friday evening.

"Not really, I believe we would have enough with possible ins and outs," said Rodgers.

"He's a quick healer, Lucas, so I'd hope he will be back sooner than that but we won't be rushing.

"But no I don't plan to do anything. We have the end of the window coming up and I want to work with a tight knit group between now and January, and then we can assess it from there."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.