Lallana out for up to four weeks with thigh injury

Cape Town - Liverpool’s Adam Lallana will miss up to four weeks including Saturday’s Merseyside derby after picking up a thigh injury while on international duty this week.

The 28-year-old midfielder played in both of England’s recent games against Germany and Lithuania.

He was taken off during the second-half of the 1-0 friendly loss in Dortmund, but played the full game in the 2-0 World Cup qualifier win over Lithuania at Wembley.

Reports said that Lallana sustained a kick to the leg during the Lithuania game that prevented him from training with Liverpool on Tuesday. An examination by Anfield medics discovered a thigh injury which could keep him out for up to a month.

Liverpool have not revealed how long Lallana will be out, although he will likely miss upcoming Premier League games against Bournemouth, Stoke and West Brom, as well as Saturday’s derby against Everton.

It comes at a bad time for the former Southampton player, who was in good form recently for both club and country.

The injury adds to LIverpool’s injury woes as club captain Jordan Henderson also missed training on Tuesday and could struggle to be fit in time for Saturday. Henderson has not played since February 11 because of a foot injury.

Meanwhile Everton captain Phil Jagielka said his side will be especially fired-up to win this weekend's Merseyside derby against Liverpool after a horrific injury suffered by team-mate Seamus Coleman on international duty.

Kick off is at 13:30.