Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

England lose injured AJ

07 Oct 2007 - 18:42:15

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Everton striker Andrew Johnson has been ruled out of England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia after picking up an ankle injury during Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Newcastle United.

Johnson scored his first goal of the season after coming on as a half-time substitute at St James' Park, but afterwards manager David Moyes revealed the striker had picked up an ankle knock and would not be joining up with Steve McClaren's international squad.

"It was a good day for him but he's going in to have an operation on Monday," he told Sky Sports News.

"He's got an ankle operation so he's going to miss the next three or four weeks."

However, Sunday's busy Premier League programme did provide McClaren with reason to be cheerful as Michael Owen came off the substitute's bench to score for Newcastle in the same match.

Owen underwent surgery on a stomach muscle problem just nine days ago but, after scoring in the 90th minute for the Magpies, now seems certain to play some part in the double header against Estonia and Russia.

"I'm fine. I'm playing without pain and will only get better," said Owen after his goalscoring cameo.

"It's only a minor thing and I have still got all the stitches in.

"I've put in a lot of hard work and I was disappointed not to actually start."