Liverpool defender Martin Kelly faces 5-week injury lay-off
-
Liverpool defender Kelly faces five-week injury lay-off
Crocked: Kelly receives treatment after injuring his hamstring at West Ham
Martin Kelly has had his worst fears confirmed after he was ruled out for up to five weeks with hamstring damage.
The Liverpool right back, 20, pulled up sharply in the first half of Sunday's 3-1 defeat at West Ham and he underwent a scan on Merseyside yesterday.
Liverpool had hoped that Kelly, one of their success stories this season, would only miss this Sunday's showdown with Manchester United but he will now be absent for a chunk of the run-in.
Aside from United's visit, Kelly will miss both legs of the Europa League last-16 clash with Braga and a trip to Sunderland on March 20.
He is also almost certainly out of the England Under 21 friendly against Iceland at Deepdale on March 28.
Although Kelly has flourished since Kenny Dalglish took charge in early January, this is the latest frustrating setback in his short Liverpool career - last season he had long layoffs with knee and ankle injuries - but he is trying to remain positive.
He said: 'I am usually a quick healer and we have good medical staff at the club, so hopefully I will be back soon.
'We were all disappointed with the result and performance on Sunday and we've got to put it right against Manchester United.'