Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana is set to face up to a month on the sidelines.
Lallana suffered a thigh injury during England’s World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania on Sunday despite completing the full 90 minutes at Wembley.
The 28-year-old was absent from training with the Reds on Wednesday as he underwent a scan on the problem sustained at Wembley last weekend.
He has been one of the stand-out performers for both club and country this season as Jurgen Klopp plots Liverpool’s return to the Champions League.
But the setback means that Lallana will now miss Saturday’s Merseyside derby clash with Everton in addition to other key fixtures over the next four weeks.
His previous injury coincided with England duty last November as he suffered an aggravated groin problem which ruled him out for several weeks.
Should he remain sidelined for the entire month, he would miss a further four Premier League games as Klopp’s side bid to consolidate a top four finish.
They include next Wednesday’s visit of Bournemouth, trips to West Brom and Stoke as well as an encounter with Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 23.
Klopp is already sweating on the fitness of Jordan Henderson for the clash with the Toffees as he recovers from a foot injury sustained the end of last month.
Daniel Sturridge is also still unavailable while Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino will be late returnees from Brazil duty ahead of the 228th derby clash.
Lallana recently pledged his long-term future to Liverpool with a four-year deal understood to be worth just shy of £23 million in total, and £110,00 per week.