Everton striker Andy
Johnson looks increasingly likely to miss England's Euro 2008
qualifier against Estonia, after the club confirmed he is to have
an ankle operation at the end of the season.
Johnson is currently struggling with an injury to his right ankle
but it is the left ankle that needs to go under the surgeon's knife
at the campaign's close.
It looks likely that Johnson will miss Brazil's visit to the new
Wembley on 1st June and with the Estonia game just five days later,
England boss Steve McClaren will almost certainly have to look at
alternative options.
Everton head physio Mick Rathbone has explained that the club had
hoped rest and recuperation could have solved the problem, but now
they have concluded an operation is unavoidable.
"After injuring his right ankle, we were hopeful that the
subsequent period of rest would help his left ankle," he informed
the club's official website.
"However, that has not been the case and the player will have an
operation as soon after the final match of the season as
possible.
"Andy has had the problem for a number of months now and it is
getting no better."
News of Johnson's probable absence is likely to increase the
clamour for the inclusion of Michael Owen, following the Newcastle
man's successful comeback from injury against Reading on
Monday.
