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JAY SPEARING has suffered a devastating blow after he suffered a suspected broken ankle in training today.

The young midfielder was in line to make his first Premier League start at Anfield in tomorrow's clash with West Ham United

He was taken to hospital in agony after turning his ankle in a five-a-side game and Spearing now faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.

"Unfortunately right at the end of the training session, which was 5-a-side and not at all a competitive game, he turned his ankle and cracked a small bone just above the ankle in his fibia," said boss Roy Hodgson.

"That means he is going to be missing for six weeks. It is a terrible blow for Jay and us. He has been doing ever so well and getting closer and closer to a place in the first team. I was considering using him in this game, possibly even starting him."