London - Chelsea's fading Premier League title hopes suffered a further blow on Monday as Nicolas Anelka was confirmed to be suffering a toe injury.

The France striker has been ruled out of his country's two World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania, and could miss Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool.

Anelka has been replaced in the France squad by Paris St Germain's Guillaume Hoarau.

"He replaces Nicolas Anelka, who is suffering from an injured left big toe and is out of action for three weeks," said a spokesman for the French Football Federation.

Chelsea missed an opportunity to close on Premier League leaders Manchester United on Saturday when they were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur. They lie four points behind the leaders and have played a game more. (dpa)