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Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is concerned that forward Dirk Kuyt could be sidelined for far more than a month by a shoulder injury suffered while on international duty.

The 30-year-old damaged shoulder ligaments while with the Netherlands squad and medical reports have suggested that he could be back in action in around four weeks.

However, Hodgson believes that there is a chance that Kuyt could be sidelined for longer.

He told the club's official website:"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.

"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."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email