Liverpool FC midfielder Joe Allen is likely to miss the start of the Premier League season after an injury picked up in his side's pre-season friendly at Swindon Town.
The Reds took on the League One club having emerged unscathed in all of their five friendlies previously, but the midfielder last just 13 minutes at the County Ground as he pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old is set to have a scan on the problem to assess the severity of the injury, manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed after his team-mates went on to win 2-1 thanks to goals from debutant Christian Benteke and Sheyi Ojo.
But the Welshman, who was replaced by Joao Carlos Teixeira, is likely to miss their opening Premier League fixture away at Stoke City as a result of the knock.
Rodgers, speaking after the game, confirmed that the issue was his hamstring - but that he would have a scan on the Monday to confirm how long he will be out.
Allen to potentially miss handful of Reds' first few games
Depending on the grade, Allen could be out for up to six weeks with the injury - which could potentially rule him out of five or six league fixtures and even the third round of the Capital One Cup and the first group stage game of the Reds' Europa League campaign.
If the injury is confirmed as serious, which would be a grade three tear, Allen is likely to surrender his place in the squad to Lucas Leiva - with James Milner and captain Jordan Henderson almost certain starters and Emre Can likely to cement a regular first-team role in the centre of the field.
Allen was not the only player to come away with a problem from the Swindon game, after Academy midfielder Pedro Chirivella left the pitch late in the game with a problem with his hand.
Rodgers confirmed that the Spaniard seemed to have bent his wrist, and that caused him some soreness - though the extent of the injury has not yet been confirmed.
No serious issues for Firmino despite early knock
There was almost another injury scare for debutant Roberto Firmino in the early proceedings, as he clashed with on-loan Liverpool under-21s goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.
But the Brazilian, who featured for 67 minutes in his first bow in a red shirt, was confirmed as "fine" by his manager later in the evening - who said that the Reds' no.11 had "overstretched a little bit and took a knock."
However, Firmino, who impressed in his first outing for his new club - should be in good condition to play a part at Stoke if he can prove his fitness.