Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden will have a knee operation tomorrow that will rule him out of manager Raphael Benitez's plans until the New Year.
The Dutch international damaged his knee during last weekend's 1-0 win over Manchester City. This latest injury comes at a time when fellow midfielders Xabi Alonso and Mohamed Sissoko are ruled out with long-term problems. It is a bitter blow to the 30-year-old after missing most of last season with an injury on the same knee.
Benitez said: 'It is not the same injury as last season. Then he damaged his cruciate ligament. This time it is his medial ligament, but because it is the same knee the decision has been made that he must have the operation. He will be out for between four and five weeks.'
Zenden had been given the opportunity by Benitez to stake a claim for a midfield role alongside Steven Gerrard, but those plans have now been scuppered.
Zenden is added to an injury list that not only includes Alonso and Sissoko, but also Mark Gonzalez, Harry Kewell, Stephen Warnock and Fabio Aurelio.
