Nathaniel Clyne is out for three months following back surgery
Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne underwent surgery on his back this week which could see him kept out of action for up to three months.
The 26-year-old is yet to make a single appearance this term for the Reds after picking up the injury in pre-season training.
He was initially not assigned a return date, with the club stating he would be sidelined for a "significant period of time" but it now seems likely he will remain out until the New Year.
The former Southampton man had resumed light training at Melwood in September, but despite Jurgen Klopp's positive asessment, he has since suffered a setback which has led to the surgery.
It is understood the full-back underwent the corrective surgery on his back on Monday and he could now have to wait to make his return until February.
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Liverpool also have concerns about Sadio Mane
Nathaniel Clyne from SW4 to International footballer
In his absence, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez have plugged the gap, but Clyne could be available for the all-important Premier League run-in.
He will also be hoping to make Gareth Southgate's England squad for next summer's World Cup in Russia.
Speaking about Clyne's progress ahead of Liverpool's 4-1 win away at West Ham, Klopp revealed the defender had been struggling.
“He was in a good way, running with high intensity but the muscle showed a little reaction," he said.
"That was not an injury, and usually with a healthy and fit player you wouldn’t even think about it.
“In his case because it was a little sign again from the back, we took him out and it’s a few steps back again.”
Besides Clyne's long-term absence, the Reds are also running the rule over Sadio Mane who was forced to end his international duty with Senegal early last week with a suspected hamstring problem.
“Obviously it is a concern that the hamstring injury is again on the agenda and it will be critical for us to monitor and manage that in the coming days," Klopp said.
"At this stage we haven’t seen Sadio yet to properly assess the extent, but what is clear is that we will have to stay on top of this for the rest of the week and make sure we are careful in how we look after him.
"There has been really strong communication between ourselves and the Senegal team management to ensure the player is properly protected and looked after.
"So, in this moment all I can really say with certainty is that we will assess Sadio as soon as he lands back in the country and make decisions on what rehab and treatment gives him the best chance of being back fit and strong for the important fixtures we have coming."
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