West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster has been ruled out for at least four weeks with a knee injury.
The England international was substituted in the second half of the Baggies’ 1-0 home win over Stoke City at the weekend. Subsequent scans have revealed a damaged knee cartilage and the club have confirmed he will “stay behind for further recovery and rehabilitation”.
West Brom coach Tony Pulis said: “It’s rotten news for Ben because he’s been so consistent.
“He kept seven clean sheets in 10 games but we have a very able man to step forward in Boaz, who has performed well when he’s come into the team.
“We’ve got the international break coming up which I hope will give our medical team the chance to work on Ben’s rehab and we will reassess later.”
Welsh goalkeeper, Boaz Myhill, who replaced Foster at the Hawthorns on Saturday, will deputise during the 31-year-old’s absence, with young goalkeeper Jack Rose expected to step up to the bench.
Foster could return in time for Liverpool’s visit to the Midlands but is certainly ruled out of this weekend’s visit to Manchester City. He will miss England’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania on March 27 and is also a major doubt for the Three Lions’s international friendly against Italy in Turin on 31 March.