Michael Owen has had a precautionary scan on his right hamstring and Liverpool fear the 20-year-old has had a recurrence of the problem that has dogged him for the past couple of seasons.

Liverpool could also find Emile Heskey sidelined because of a thigh injury that forced him off at half time against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Injured Everton midfielder Paul Gascoigne will be out for another month. Gascoigne was on the brink of a senior comeback, but has suffered a recurrance of the thigh muscle tear that has ruled him out since November 5th. He will need further minor surgery and won't play again until late-February.

John Hartson has heaped more misery an ailing Coventry by writing off any prospect of a move to Highfield Road. The Wimbledon striker finally ended the lengthy saga of his move to Gordon Strachan's side by committing himself to Selhurst Park until the end of the season.