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However, Northern Ireland assistant manager Glynn Snodin, who is also the first team coach at Upton Park, stated no decision would be made on the 26-year-old’s availability until the results of his scan came back.

“George was to have a scan on his ankle on Monday morning,” revealed Snodin. “So we can’t make any decisions until we get confirmation of the results.

“I spoke to George after the Derby game and he was absolutely devastated at the thought that he may miss the next two international matches as he is desperate to play for his country.

“We will give the lad as much time as possible to get over the injury before deciding on whether to call up a replacement for him.”

Thankfully for Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington there were no other reports of injuries to any other members of his squad.

Meanwhile right-back Chris Baird made a welcome return to first team action as Fulham, who also had Aaron Hughes, Steve Davis and David Healy in their starting line-up, made the trip to Anfield to take on a Liverpool side still on a high from their 8-0 mauling of Besiktas in the Champions League.

Unfortunately for former Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez his side once again conceded late goals as Liverpool ran out fairly comfortable 2-0 winners.

In the Championship striker Martin Paterson, who will be joining up with the full squad for the first time this week, was substituted mid-way through the second half of Scunthorpe United’s 1-0 defeat at Blackpool.

Elsewhere in the Championship Tony Capaldi, Gareth McAuley and Keith Gillespie all played the full 90 minutes for their respective clubs, while Kyle Lafferty, who is suspended for the Denmark match this Saturday, helped managerless Burnley to a much needed 1-0 victory at Leicester City.

In the FA Cup first round Mo Harkin, a former under-21 international, hit the only goal of the match for Havant and Waterlooville in their tie with York City to help them progress to the second round of the competition for the first time in their history.

The only other Northern Ireland scorer in the FA Cup over the weekend was 28- year-old Wayne Carlisle who got the opener for Exeter City in their 4-0 success over fellow Conference side Stevenage Borough.