LIAM Trotter faces an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a torn hamstring, it was confirmed last night.

The midfielder limped out of Tuesday night’s 3-2 extra time victory over Crewe Alexandra and had scans yesterday that confirmed he will miss at least the next three weeks.

Trotter was starting his third game of the season following his permanent move from Millwall over the summer.

Dougie Freedman feared the worst for the 26-year-old when he spoke to the press after the Capital One Cup win.

“Liam looks to have hurt his hamstring,” he said. “He’ll have a scan but to be honest it doesn’t look good when you have to come off after 45 minutes.

“That’s unfortunately what has been happening at the football club since I’ve been here. I have to make sure the players who are fit understand what they have to do this Saturday and make sure we hold a lead.”

Freedman has better news in the shape of midfielder Mark Davies, who the Whites boss confirmed would be in the frame to face Leeds United this weekend.

Davies has not started a competitive match since March 25, where he picked up a thigh injury in a 1-0 win over Blackpool.

He returned in the summer and fractured his toe in pre-season training, ruling him out of the first six games in league and cup.

Freedman is also expecting full-back Dean Moxey to return from a foot problem.

“Dean should have been fit for Saturday (against Brighton) but got a knock in training,” he explained.

“I didn’t want to risk him against Crewe but I’m hoping he will be back alongside Mark Davies against Leeds United.”