Glen Johnson is facing another extended spell on the sidelines for Liverpool and England after aggravating a hamstring injury in the defeat at Stoke City.

The Liverpool right-back made his first appearance of the season at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, as an 81st-minute substitute for Martin Skrtel, having been out for five weeks with a hamstring problem suffered in a pre-season friendly against Valencia. Johnson damaged the hamstring again during the cameo appearance and, though Liverpool do not expect to receive the results from his medical assessment until Tuesday, the recurrence is likely to rule the 27-year-old out of Kenny Dalglish's plans for a similar period.

Johnson confirmed on his Twitter page: "Can't believe my luck at the mo. Done my hamstring again. Hopefully be back soon."

The defender's absence is a setback for both club and country, with England travelling to Montenegro for the game that could secure qualification to Euro 2012 on 7 October. Dalglish was also without Martin Kelly at Stoke due to a hamstring strain and the England Under-21 international remains a doubt for Sunday's visit to Tottenham Hotspur. The Liverpool manager does have the emerging young defender John Flanagan available but opted for the aerial strength and experience of Skrtel against Tony Pulis's side.

One major positive for Liverpool is Steven Gerrard's recovery from the groin operation, and subsequent illness, that has kept him out of the team since victory over Manchester United in March. Gerrard, the club captain, has targeted a mid-September return since pre-season and has now returned to training, although Liverpool will not take any risks with him at White Hart Lane and will involve the 31-year-old only if convinced he is 100% fit.

The Liverpool captain, meanwhile, has admitted Luis Suárez is pivotal to the club's prospects of winning silverware and believes the Uruguay international could become an Anfield great should he maintain his current trajectory over several years.

"He's a very enthusiastic footballer and very intelligent," said Gerrard. "He's like a kid in the street and he can't wait to get out for training and games. Alongside Dirk [Kuyt] of late, they've been like two Duracell bunnies. They just don't stop and for defenders that must be a nightmare, knowing when you control the ball those two will be chasing. It's fantastic to have him and hopefully he can continue his form until the end of the season. If he does, it will give us a much better chance of getting some silverware."

Suárez has scored three times this season and Gerrard added: "I'm sure he's going to get even better than he is now, which is a scary thought. He's got the appetite for the game to learn and get better. Hopefully he will go on here for a long time because he's certainly got a massive part to play at this club in the future."