Avery Is the Latest to Be Injured

The hits just keep on coming.

Winger Sean Avery was held out of the Kings’ lineup Monday because of what was described as an upper-body injury, hockey code for anything from a concussion to a separated shoulder. He was to be examined Monday night, and Coach Andy Murray said Avery might return Thursday against Phoenix.

Noah Clarke of La Verne was recalled from Manchester of the American Hockey League under emergency conditions, and he arrived in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, after his flight Sunday was canceled. Also on Monday, the Kings placed George Parros on injured reserve retroactive to Thursday.

Nathan Dempsey was a late scratch because of flu symptoms, leaving the Kings without 10 regulars -- if Valeri Bure, who got hurt in an exhibition, is included.

Aaron Miller, forced out of the lineup by back spasms on Dec. 21, isn’t skating. Jeff Cowan (strained hamstring), placed on injured reserve on Dec. 19 retroactive to Dec. 11, might return by the weekend. Eric Belanger (groin tear) is week to week, Jeremy Roenick (finger surgery) will be out about another month, Mike Weaver (hip flexor) missed his second straight game, and Ryan Flinn (concussion) remains out indefinitely.

“We’ve had good goaltending and we’ve played pretty hard,” Murray said when asked how the team has survived the barrage of injuries.

Roenick skated Monday for the second time since his surgery.

The three pins in his left ring finger are due to be removed in two weeks.

“I feel really good. It’s so frustrating that a finger keeps you out,” he said. “I don’t know if I have that good a willpower to not shoot a puck.”