Liverpool recall Le Tallec

Liverpool FC have recalled French Under-21 international forward Anthony Le Tallec from his loan spell at AS Saint-Etienne to ease their growing injury problems. A statement on the Ligue 1 side's website said: "He has returned to his original club."

Ankle problem
The 20-year-old joined Saint-Etienne at the start of the season, and scored once in seven league appearances for Les Verts. However, an ankle injury meant that Le Tallec lost his place in the starting lineup, and failed to regain it.

Injury worries
Le Tallec's return follows an injury to Florent Sinama-Pongolle, who tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in Tuesday's English League Cup semi-final victory against Watford FC. Sinama-Pongolle - who joined Liverpool from Le Havre AC at the same time as Le Tallec - underwent exploratory surgery today and, like Djibril Cissé and Xabi Alonso, is not expected to play again this season. Another forward, Harry Kewell, is still recovering from a groin strain.

European eligibility
Liverpool will face Chelsea FC in the English League Cup final on 27 February and before that play Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie at Anfield on 22 February. Le Tallec will be eligible to play.