Liverpool's Fabio Borini out for three months with foot fracture

Liverpool expect to be without Fabio Borini for around three months after an operation on a fractured bone in his foot.

The injury forced the forward's early return from international duty with Italy Under-21s last week, as he aggravated a problem first suffered in the recent 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

Borini was replaced by young Spaniard Suso at half-time during that game but still joined up with his national team, only to damage the bone further in training ahead of the European Championship qualifier against Sweden. Italy won the tie 4-2 on aggregate.

A statement on Liverpool's official website, http://www.liverpoolfc.com, read: "Borini was assessed by the club's medical team upon his return to Melwood (training ground) and a decision was made for the 21-year-old to have surgery.

"Typically, an injury of this nature requires a three-month rehabilitation period."

Borini has yet to score in five Barclays Premier League games since his summer move from Roma, with his only goal coming in Europa League qualifying against Belarussian side Gomel.

However, his ongoing absence will be keenly felt with Liverpool having only one other senior forward, Luis Suarez, on their books.

PA