Xabi Alonso reportedly faces a new injury lay-off of up to three months after apparently breaking the fifth metatarsal in his foot.
The midfielder has been recovering this summer and through preseason from surgery undergone in June on a problematic groin injury.
Originally estimated as back in contention for first team football by the start of October, it is believed that the midfielder has now suffered a fresh setback.
Reports are that the 31-year-old is suspected of having broken the fifth metatarsal in his foot during training on Wednesday morning.
Whilst it is unconfirmed which foot the player has suffered the injury in or the specific recovery period, speculation is that he could face as long as a further three months on the sidelines.
