Babbel suffers illness blow

Markus Babbel has been struck down by illness

Liverpool defender Markus Babbel will be out of action for a month because of illness.

The German had previously complained of flu-like symptoms, and was taken off at half-time in Liverpool's first league matches against West Ham and Bolton.

Further investigations revealed his condition was more serious and has affected his immune system.

Babbel went home to Germany during the break for international matches and he has not yet returned.

The loss of the defender, who celebrates his 30th birthday on Saturday, is a huge blow to manager Gerard Houllier as he was one of the most consistent performers last season.

Babbel will miss this weekend's game against Aston Villa and also Champions League matches against Boavista, Borussia Dortmund and Dynamo Kiev.

Houllier has the option of playing 21-year-old Stephen Wright at right-back or, more likely, switching Jamie Carragher and bringing in summer signing John Arne Riise or Gregory Vignal on the left.