Skrtel breaks metatarsal

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has broken a metatarsal in his foot following a challenge in last night’s win over Unirea Urziceni.

According to Reds manager Rafael Benitez the club are awaiting more details on the exact recovery time: “We were really disappointed after the game because it was a good result but then we had the bad news about Martin. He’s had x-rays today and they confirmed he has a broken metatarsal. We have to check over the next couple of days how long it will take to recover.”

Skrtel’s defensive colleague Daniel Agger missed much of the 2007-08 season due to a metatarsal injury that ultimately required surgery. Skrtel will be hopeful of a place in Slovakia’s first World Cup finals squad this summer, but as competition for places in the Reds defence intensifies it may not just be the injury that keeps him out of the Liverpool side in these last few months of the season.

Martin Kelly returned to action last night and may well get the nod to start at right back on Sunday, allowing Jamie Carragher to move back to the centre to partner Agger.  Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos serves the last game of his suspension for that game and right-back Glen Johnson will be ready for action soon having returned to training.

Speaking about the England right-back Rafa said: “Johnson’s doing well. He was training today with the team, a light training session. I was watching him and he was quite sharp but Sunday will be too soon.”