Liverpool defender Kelly out for month

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly will miss a month of football after tearing a hamstring in Sunday’s 3-1 loss at West Ham.

Liverpool’s head of sports medicine Dr Peter Brukner confirmed the 20-year-old would face four weeks on the sidelines because of the injury.

Kelly was charging down the flank Upton Park during the first half of the English Premier League encounter when he pulled up abruptly clutching his thigh, and the youngster had to be replaced by Joe Cole.

Kelly told The Liverpool Echo he was disappointed by the blow, but was confident of a quick return to the first team.

“I took Scott Parker on down the right and when I took my last touch I felt a pull in my hamstring and there was no way I could carry on,” he said.

“I’m usually a quick healer and we have good medical staff at the club so hopefully I will be back soon.”

He will miss Sunday’s tussle with Manchester United at Anfield, the Europa League last-16 match against Braga and the league game at Sunderland on March 20.