Southampton striker Kevin Phillips faces three weeks on the sidelines after damaging ankle ligaments.
Phillips, 31, missed the closing stages of Saints' defeat to Newcastle after being hurt while blocking a free-kick.
The striker will miss Saturday's game with Liverpool and faces a race to be fit for the FA Cup tie with south coast rivals Portsmouth on 29 January.
But Saints keeper Antti Niemi and striker Peter Crouch are both expected to face Liverpool after injury worries.