Owen out for three weeks

England striker Michael Owen will be out of action for the next three weeks after picking up an injury in Thursday's UEFA Cup win over Steaua Bucharest.

Confirming the bad news Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier said a scan on Friday had revealed torn right thigh muscle fibres.

This latest setback follows the damaged shin Owen picked up in a game on October 7 which ruled him out of England's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey and Liverpool's next two Premiership games.

But Houllier reported: "This has nothing to do with his former problem, it was purely accidental when he kicked the ball with the outside of his foot."

Earlier Houllier had been optimistic the scan would not reveal anything untoward and that Owen would be fit to play on Sunday against Birmingham.

Owen picked up the injury in Thursday's UEFA Cup win over Bucharest when a Harry Kewell goal gave Liverpool a 2-1 aggregate win and a place in the third round.