From the official site
Liverpool today confirmed Philipp Degen will be on the sidelines for four weeks after picking up a foot injury against Tottenham in midweek.
The Swiss full-back - who has endured an injury plagued start to his Liverpool career - sustained a metatarsal injury during the Carling Cup defeat and has been ruled out of action for the next month.
With Alvaro Arbeloa suspended for this weekend's trip to Bolton, manager Rafael Benitez is short of options for the right back position at the Reebok with either Jamie Carragher or Stephen Darby now likely to step in.
"It's a pity for Philipp because he hasn't had much luck with injuries so far, but hopefully he can come back from this problem quickly," said Benitez today.
"It's always a problem when you have two players for a position and one of them gets injured, and even more of a problem when the other player is suspended for a game - like Alvaro is this weekend.
"But we have options within the squad and we'll have to decide what we want to do for the game at Bolton."
Martin Skrtel is the only other absentee for the trip to the Reebok, with Benitez reporting no other fresh injury concerns following the midweek setback.
"A lot of players were rested for the game at Tottenham because they had been playing a lot of football, but they will be back this weekend," he added.
"They have looked sharp in training and will benefit from having a week free of competitive football."
Fernando Torres is likely to again get the chance to build up his match fitness after enjoying a one hour run-out against Tottenham on Wednesday.
"Clearly we need to be careful with Fernando and it was always the plan to ease him back in gradually," added Benitez.
"For the type of player he is, it will probably be a couple more weeks before he is back to his very best but the more time he spends on the field the quicker he will get there."
Liverpool today confirmed Philipp Degen will be on the sidelines for four weeks after picking up a foot injury against Tottenham in midweek.
The Swiss full-back - who has endured an injury plagued start to his Liverpool career - sustained a metatarsal injury during the Carling Cup defeat and has been ruled out of action for the next month.
With Alvaro Arbeloa suspended for this weekend's trip to Bolton, manager Rafael Benitez is short of options for the right back position at the Reebok with either Jamie Carragher or Stephen Darby now likely to step in.
"It's a pity for Philipp because he hasn't had much luck with injuries so far, but hopefully he can come back from this problem quickly," said Benitez today.
"It's always a problem when you have two players for a position and one of them gets injured, and even more of a problem when the other player is suspended for a game - like Alvaro is this weekend.
"But we have options within the squad and we'll have to decide what we want to do for the game at Bolton."
Martin Skrtel is the only other absentee for the trip to the Reebok, with Benitez reporting no other fresh injury concerns following the midweek setback.
"A lot of players were rested for the game at Tottenham because they had been playing a lot of football, but they will be back this weekend," he added.
"They have looked sharp in training and will benefit from having a week free of competitive football."
Fernando Torres is likely to again get the chance to build up his match fitness after enjoying a one hour run-out against Tottenham on Wednesday.
"Clearly we need to be careful with Fernando and it was always the plan to ease him back in gradually," added Benitez.
"For the type of player he is, it will probably be a couple more weeks before he is back to his very best but the more time he spends on the field the quicker he will get there."
Comment