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Michael Owen has been given an even chance of playing in England's final European Championship qualifier against Turkey next Saturday after injuring his shin during Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by Arsenal.
Former England physio Alan Smith, however, regards the injury as serious enough for Owen to be out of action for up to six weeks.
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"This morning's MRI scan confirmed there is no damage to his ankle or knee
but showed he has suffered a...split in the lining between the fibula and tibia
bones in his lower right leg," the Liverpool website said on Sunday.
"He is currently rated at 50-50 for next weekend's England match in Istanbul," it added. Ticketmaster
Smith, speaking to Sky Sports News, said: "One of the ligaments ... has been partially ruptured which is, in itself, a serious injury and would mean that he wouldn't be fit to play at the weekend.
"We're talking a number of weeks (recovery), maybe anything between three to six weeks, in that region."
Liverpool said Owen would receive intensive treatment and join his England team mates on Tuesday.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has delayed the announcement of his squad until 1300 GMT on Monday. Ticketmaster
The match will decide whether England or Turkey win Group Seven and qualify automatically for the European Championship finals in Portugal next year.