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Glen Johnson faces the agony of being out of the rest of England’s World Cup qualifiers – including any play-off, writes Alan Nixon of the Sunday People.

Liverpool fear their raiding right-back will be sidelined for around 10 weeks with the knee ligament injury he suffered against Manchester United last week.

Johnson’s bravery in a crunching tackle with Patrice Evra meant he missed the Moldova and Ukraine double header for England.

He was seen leaving Anfield on crutches after the United game and was wearing a medical boot.

The timescale means Johnson will miss the last two Group H games and could struggle to be fit if the Three Lions are forced into a play-off.

Johnson’s loss is also a blow for Brendan Rodgers who has had to stop England Under-21 skipper Andre Wisdom going out on loan. Wigan, Bolton and Blackburn were all keen to take the youngster, but now he has to stay at Anfield.

Kop chief Rodgers will be reshaping his defence shortly as new French defender Mamadou Sakho is tipped for a quick start, possibly at left-back.