The Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will know by the middle of this week whether he faces another lengthy layoff or will be back in action for the Reds soon after being diagnosed with an infected ankle.
The 31-year-old has only recently returned to the side after being out with a groin injury for six months but missed Sunday's 2-nil win over West Bromwich Albion with this new, unrelated problem.
The Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says Gerrard had been in the frame for Sunday's match but was forced to pull out late.
He also says he's not sure when Gerrard would return or if he would be fit enough to be included in the England squad for the friendlies against Spain and Sweden in November.
The problem started last week when he cut his ankle in training and was later kicked on it.
