Liverpool striker Micheal Owen will miss Wednesday's Worthington Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace and could be out for two weeks with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
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Owen shoots against Boro, but it's woeful wide
(GaryMPrior/Allsport) |
Luckless Owen would also miss Saturday's FA Cup fourth round game at Leeds United and the forthcoming premier league games against Manchester City and West Ham.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier said: 'Michael is definitely out of the game on Wednesday. It is his hamstring which is causing the problem and we need to find out exactly how bad it is.
'He will have a scan today but at this stage I would say he will probably be out for two weeks and that is a blow for us.'
Owen has struggled since injuring his hamstring against Derby County in October and drew criticism from Houllier after missing a string of chances against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
And Liverpool could also find £11million Emile Heskey sidelined for their two vital cup ties because of a thigh injury that forced him off at half-time against Boro.
The Strikers' absence may give out-of-favour striker Robbie Fowler the chance to fight his way back into Liverpool's competitive attack.
After weeks of controversey and transfer speculation Fowler could now find himself partnering former Barcelona striker Jari Litmanan in the starting line-up
Crystal Palace travel to Anfield for the second leg of the Worthington Cup semi-final second leg with a 2-1 lead and Liverpool will face a tough task overhauling the deficit against Alan Smith's resurgent team.
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