Liverpool loanees Mamadou Sakho and Lazar Markovic both set to miss rest of season

Liverpool duo Mamadou Sakho and Lazar Markovic will both play no further part for their respective loan clubs in 2016-17, it has been confirmed.

Centre-back Sakho has been a revelation for Crystal Palace since moving to Selhurst Park on a six-month deal during the final stages of the January transfer window and was recently shortlisted alongside Yohan Cabaye, Jason Puncheon, Andros Townsend, Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke for the club's Player of the Season award despite making just eight appearances.

The French international, frozen out by Jurgen Klopp after being sent home from Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States last year, saw his impressive run come to an end in April when he was stretchered off during the second half of a 1-0 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur with a serious-looking knee injury.

A better-than-expected diagnosis of bruised and strained ligaments gave rise to slight hope that Sakho could recover in time to play some part in a final day clash with Manchester United, although manager Sam Allardyce, eager to sign the player on a permanent basis this summer but aware that it would require a "big negotiation", believes he will miss that game in addition to Sunday's (14 May) pivotal relegation six-pointer against Hull City.

"Not really," he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports when asked if he might be back for that trip to Old Trafford. "I don't think so. It won't be long enough to think he'll be fit for Old Trafford."

Forgotten Serbian winger Markovic joined Hull after cancelling a disappointing stint with Sporting Lisbon by mutual consent and went on to make 14 appearances across all competitions as a regular member of Marco Silva's first XI. However, he sustained an ankle problem in last weekend's devastating 2-0 loss to relegated Sunderland and has officially been ruled out of a crucial double-header against Palace and Spurs as the Tigers seek to save their Premier League skins.

"It's not good news about Markovic's injury," Silva said at his latest pre-match press conference. "He has been an important player and did good things for our team since he came."

While Klopp has yet to publicly close the door on either player, both Sakho and Markovic are expected to depart Liverpool during the forthcoming transfer window.