Ligament tear hits Johnson

Scans reveal extent of full-back's knee injury following Villa win

Last updated: 31st December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ligament tear hits Johnson

Johnson: To see specialist

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Liverpool have confirmed that defender Glen Johnson has suffered a medial ligament tear to his right knee.

The England right-back limped out of the closing stages of the second half of the Reds' 1-0 victory at Premier League top-four rivals Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez confessed in his post-match interview that he feared Johnson had damaged his knee and that the summer signing from Portsmouth was set for scans.

That further assessment has now confirmed ligament damage which will mean an extended period of rehabilitation, while a specialist will offer an opinion on Thursday.

A club spokesman told Liverpool's official website on Wednesday: "A scan today has revealed a tear in the medial ligament in Glen's right knee.

"The player will see a specialist tomorrow, after which we should be able to more accurately determine the length of his rehabilitation period."

Johnson now seems certain to miss this weekend's FA Cup trip to Reading and the crucial Anfield visit of Tottenham on 10th January.

The 25-year-old has suffered a number of injuries in the first season of his Liverpool career and underwent the controversial horse placenta treatment on a hamstring problem earlier in the campaign.