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• Slovakian injured foot in Europa League tie
• X-rays confirm Slovakian has broken metatarsal

The Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez has confirmed that his central defender Martin Skrtel has a broken foot.

The Slovakian centre-back was injured last night when Liverpool beat Unirea Urziceni 3-1 to reach the last 16 of the Europa League.

X-rays at the club’s Melwood training ground today have confirmed Skrtel has fractured a metatarsal in his right foot.

“We were really disappointed after the game because it was a good result but then we had the bad news about Martin,” said the Liverpool manager.

“He’s had X-rays today and they confirmed he has a broken metatarsal. We have to check over the next couple of days how long it will take to recover.”

Skrtel’s absence, however long or short it turns out to be, comes just as Benítez thought he finally had a full-strength squad with which to tackle their remaining 11 matches as they bid to secure Champions League football next season.

Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, both so important to Liverpool’s attacking options, have both returned in the last week after more than a month on the sidelines with injury.

Even the £17m summer signing Glen Johnson is nearing a comeback, having not played since late December because of a knee injury.

“He’s doing well. He was training today with the team – a light training session,” said Benítez. “I was watching him and he was quite sharp but Sunday will be too soon.”

Jamie Carragher has been filling the England international’s spot on the right of defence in the interim but with Skrtel now ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League match at home to Blackburn and Sotirios Kyrgiakos suspended, Liverpool’s vice-captain is likely to switch back to the centre.

That leaves an opening which could be filled by Philipp Degen, Martin Kelly or Stephen Darby.

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