Hodgson Worried Over Kuyt And Aurelio Injuries

"I think four weeks is a very
conservative estimate"
- Roy Hodgson
Hodgson reveals Kuyt concerns
Liverpool manager Roy
Hodgson fears Dirk Kuyt's injury
could rule him out for longer
than four weeks.
The Dutchman recently ruptured
ligaments in his shoulder when
attempting a bicycle kick in
training while on duty for
Holland.
The 30-year-old is hoping to
return in time for the Reds' UEFA
Europa League trip to his former
club Utrecht at the end of
September, but Hodgson believes
he could be sidelined for longer.
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"It could be more than four
weeks. It's one of those injuries
where it's very difficult for the
doctor to say and I think four
weeks is a very conservative
estimate," Hodgson told the
club's official website.
"If we're lucky, it could be earlier,
but it could be longer. We have to
be very careful because it's the
type of injury that has to be
treated with a lot of respect.
"It's a great blow for us because
Dirk is an important member of
our first team. He does a job
which is not easy to replace
because he has all the qualities
required for that role on the field.
"I was very sad to see such a
thing happen, especially in a
training session.
"He's a quick mender and he has
a great mentality and attitude
towards recovery, so he will be
back as quick as is humanly
possible."
RULED OUT
Kuyt's injury caused some worry
in terms of Liverpool's attacking
force, with David Ngog already
struggling with a hamstring
problem.
The 21-year-old was withdrawn
from France Under-21s duty, but
Hodgson is hoping he will be
available for Sunday's match at
Birmingham City.
"He has been nursing a problem
but is much better now," he said.
"I am hoping that he will recover
in time for this weekend. We
have nursed him through and
hopefully he will train either
today or Friday."
Fabio Aurelio, though, is still
ruled out with an Achilles
problem.
Hodgson added: "Fabio is
making very good progress and
is definitely moving in the right
direction. It was a relatively
minor problem but one we had
to nip in the bud because Achilles
injuries can be very problematic."