Liverpool right-back Rob Jones's projected move to Italian team Fiorentina appears to be off after Jason McAteer broke his left leg at Anfield on Saturday.

Republic of Ireland international McAteer is expected to be out for the rest of the season after being injured in Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Blackburn, leaving Jones free to fill the right-back berth.

Former England defender Jones had been involved in talks last week with representatives of the Serie A side about a move to Italy. Now Liverpool manager Roy Evans is expected to halt transfer discussions and hand Jones a starting place for the rest of the season.

McAteer's injury is the second serious blow in a week for Evans, whose England midfielder Jamie Redknapp underwent surgery on Tuesday for a knee problem and will miss up to a month of action.