Liverpool have recalled Jonjo Shelvey from his loan spell at Blackpool as speculation mounts about the severity of Lucas Leiva's knee injury.
Shelvey, 19, has scored six goals in ten Championship appearances for the Seasiders, including a hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Leeds earlier this month.
However a knee injury suffered by Lucas in Tuesday's 2-0 Carling Cup defeat of Chelsea has resulted in the Anfield club activating the immediate recall clause in Shelvey's loan agreement.
"Obviously this is a setback to us as Jonjo has done ever so well in his short time with us,'' Blackpool manager Ian Holloway told the club's official website. "We knew that Liverpool had the recall option on him and it is only the unfortunate injury to Lucas that has prompted them to take this course of action.''
Holloway has not ruled out a return to Tangerine colours for Shelvey, and he added: "We will be in regular contact with Liverpool about trying to bring him back in January should Liverpool's injuries clear up.''
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