Rodwell learns extent of ankle injury

Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell faces up to three months on the sidelines after hearing he suffered ankle ligament damage at the end of August. Rodwell suffered the injury during the defeat at Aston Villa when he was forced out of the action after just 20 minutes following a challenge with Stephen Warnock.The 19-year-old was withdrawn from England's recent Under-21 squad while Everton waited to learn the extent of the problem.The news is a blow for the highly-rated Rodwell, who had been hoping to push for a regular starting place.He began the season on the bench but started at Villa after impressing in a Carling Cup win over Huddersfield."I thought when he went over, it was a twisted ankle and he'd maybe be out for a week, if at all," said David Moyes."But he got scanned and we knew there was a problem."They think it doesn't need surgery but unfortunately he is going to be out for two to three months."We were worried it was going to be a similar injury to Marouane Fellaini's but, thank goodness, it wasn't that bad."Fellaini was unable to train for around six months after being injured in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool in February.Nevertheless, the news is still a blow for the highly-rated Rodwell, who had been hoping to push for a regular starting place.Further bad news for Everton is that striker Louis Saha is likely to be out for three weeks with a calf problem.That could leave the Toffees light up front for Saturday's clash with Manchester United, with Victor Anichebe still doubtful with a knee injury and James Vaughan having gone to Crystal Palace on loan.Moyes said: "Louis is probably going to be out for around three weeks, it's a problem with his calf and the back of the knee."

Source: Team_Talk