Owen blow for Liverpool Liverpool have received an injury blow with the news that star striker Michael Owen will be out for three weeks. Owen has been ruled out for three weeks following a scan on the thigh muscle he injured in Liverpool's Uefa Cup win over Steaua Bucharest. The England striker has torn muscle fibres in his right leg, the latest injury blow to hit the 23-year-old in recent months. Owen damaged his shin during the 2-1 home defeat by Arsenal on 4 October and was ruled out for England's game in Turkey and the next two Liverpool matches. He returned against Leeds on 25 October but then was ruled out with an ankle problem. In all he has played only four of the last nine Liverpool matches and it may be Christmas before the striker is back in action. Gérard Houllier said of Owen's latest injury: "Michael has pulled a few fibres of the thigh muscle, he will be out for two to three weeks. It was not just a strain, the scan was the proof there was something wrong. It was purely accidental and came when he kicked the ball with the outside of his right foot. He felt something go and came off straight away. It is not a tear or a big pull, but what you do not want is him playing with an injury because it can become chronic. He will have rest for the first few days and then have intensive treatment. He will have to build things up, but this is nothing to do with the former problems he used to have." Houllier will turn to French teenager Florent Sinama-Pongolle to cover Owen's absence. The French U-21 striker made only his second start of the season against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday after his summer move from Le Havre, and will now probably partner Emile Heskey. Houllier added:"Lack of fortune for some means fortune for others. I would prefer to have Michael and Milan Baros available. But the fact that they are both injured means someone else can blossom. Pongolle is quick, he gives us something extra and has good touch. He turns quickly and that is why defenders are very wary of him. I like the way he has overcome the physical side of the English game." source: The Independent/Ananova/walkon