Liverpool will not make any rash decisions over the fitness of Charlie Adam amid reports the midfielder's season has been ended.
Reds waiting to make decision on whether midfielder needs surgery
Liverpool will not make any rash decisions over the fitness of Charlie Adam amid premature reports the midfielder's season has been ended by a lateral ligament injury.
The former Blackpool captain is currently on crutches after a scan identified the extent of his knee problem, but he has yet to have an operation and there are presently no plans for surgery.
It had been suggested Adam's campaign had been ended by the injury, which was sustained in a heavy challenge from Armand Traore in Liverpool's defeat at Queens Park Rangers last week.
But manager Kenny Dalglish and his medical staff are waiting at least 10 days to decide whether the Scotland international will be able to play some part in the remainder of the season.
"We know Charlie has strained knee ligaments, but we still don't know how long he will be out," Dalglish said. "He hasn't had an operation and as it stands he's not having one.
"It's only been a week since he did it. He needs to rest it for another 10 days or so and then he will be reassessed.
Monitor
"We'll see how he is then and we'll be in a better position to know when he will be back playing.
"We haven't ruled him out for the rest of the season. We're just waiting to see how he progresses."
Adam will definitely be unavailable for Sunday's game at Newcastle, where Liverpool will attempt to address a run of five defeats in six Premier League matches.
The 26-year-old will also likely be absent for the Easter fixtures against Aston Villa and Blackburn and the FA Cup semi-final against Everton at Wembley on 14th April.
Adam joins Daniel Agger, Craig Bellamy, Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly on Liverpool's injury list, but Dalglish has hinted some of those names could be available against Newcastle.
"They are all making progress," said the Liverpool boss. "They are all training to various degrees and we will monitor them throughout the week.
"If they're ready to play, they will come back into our plans for Sunday."
