Liverpool's Glen Johnson has been ruled out for a month after suffering a groin injury against Manchester United last weekend.
The right-back was forced off after just 26 minutes as his team continued their inconsistent form in the Premier League by falling to a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
Reports had emerged on Tuesday suggesting that Johnson would be absent over the Christmas period, but it has now been suggested that the England international will be sidelined until the middle of January.
The 30-year-old, who has made 15 appearances in all competitions this season, also spent September in the treatment room with a thigh injury.
