Aurelio out for three weeks

Aurelio: Uncertain future

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Injury-plagued Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio could require three weeks to recover from his latest setback.

The Brazilian sustained a thigh problem in last weekend's bad-tempered win over Blackburn at Anfield and limped out of the contest after 39 minutes.

His replacement, Emiliano Insua, had begun the match on the bench because Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez wanted to offer the youngster a rest after a tiring season.

However, Aurelio's most recent injury has ruled out that possibility and casts further doubt over the former Valencia player's future as his contract expires in the summer.

"It's not good news and we think he is going to be out for maybe another two or three weeks - Fabio has had really bad luck," said Benitez.

"It all began at the start of the season, when he suffered the injury during the summer with his family, and it's like there has been something every month since then.

Bad news

"It is a shame because he is a top footballer and a really nice person but him being out leaves us with a problem because we wanted to play him, so we could give Insua a rest.

"Emiliano is a good young player and has benefited from being involved in so many games but he has been playing a lot recently.

"We needed Fabio so he could help the team and also help Insua. His injury is bad news for both of them."

Benitez lost Martin Skrtel to a broken metatarsal last week and Daniel Agger suffered severe bruising to his knee in the victory over Blackburn.

The latter is undergoing treatment at Liverpool's Melwood training ground and it is not certain whether he will be available to face Wigan on Monday.

"We will continue to watch Daniel," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

"We are glad that it is nothing serious but whether he is available for Wigan depends on his progression in the next few days."