Double injury blow

Both Alonso and Agger have broken a metatarsal and although neither player needs an operation they will both be out for over a month.

"Neither player will require surgery but we expect them to be out of action for between four and six weeks," said press spokesman Ian Cotton.

"Xabi Alonso has suffered a stress fracture to the 4th metatarsal in his left foot and Daniel Agger has suffered a stress fracture to the 2nd metatarsal in his right foot."