Skrtel may recover in time to feature in Liverpool's last few games this season

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel will miss much of the remainder of the season because of a broken metatarsal.

The 25-year-old Slovakia international will not need surgery but is likely to be unavailable to manager Rafael Benitez until the end of April.

He was forced off during his team's 4-1 aggregate win over Unirea Urziceni in their Europa League tie on Thursday.

Manager Rafael Benitez said after the match: "It was a good result but then we had the bad news about Martin."

Skrtel was injured in a second-half clash with Antonio Semedo as the Reds won 3-1 in Romania to reach the last 16 with a 4-1 aggregate score.

606: DEBATE Your reaction to Skrtel's injury

He has been a mainstay of Liverpool's central defence this season, featuring 29 times and scoring one goal, in the 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City in November.

Benitez will at least be comforted with better news regarding Skrtel's fellow defender Glen Johnson.

The £17m signing is nearing a comeback, having not played since late December because of a knee injury.

"He's doing well. He was training [on Friday] with the team - a light training session," said Benitez.

"I was watching him and he was quite sharp but Sunday will be too soon."

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