Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will not play against Newcastle United this weekend - but he could be fit to face Fulham the week after.
The midfielder is recovering from the hamstring injury he picked up on England duty last month.
And while he is progressing well, Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed that the trip to St James' Park for Alan Pardew's first game in charge as Newcastle manager has come too early.
"I don't know where the stories came from that Gerrard would be fit for Newcastle," Hodgson told the club's official website.
"We have always been thinking he would be fit to face Fulham the following weekend, it would be much too early to consider him for Newcastle.
"But he is making very good progress, which we are happy with, and he is absolutely on schedule but Newcastle was an unrealistic target."
Hodgson is also hopeful defender Daniel Agger will return against Fulham after a calf problem he sustained in September.
Hodgson added: "He is much better and really pushing himself beyond what we could expect him to do.
"His attitude is first class and we are targeting the Fulham game.
"The sports science people tell me it is too soon and he needs a bit longer but in my conversations with him he is in agreement that Fulham is not out of the question and he is pushing for it."