EVERTON’S worst fears have been realised with the news Jack Rodwell is facing up to three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Rodwell damaged ankle ligaments in a challenge with Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock during the 1-0 defeat at Villa Park almost a fortnight ago.

The 19-year-old was withdrawn from the England under-21 squad although swelling around the injury has meant that Everton’s medical team had been unable to ascertain the full extent of the damage.

Now Rodwell will embark on a long rehabilitation and faces a battle to return in time for the busy Christmas and New Year period of fixtures.

Rodwell was making his first Premier League start of the season at Aston Villa but, following the challenge by Warnock, was forced to hobble off with 20 minutes remaining.

Everton manager David Moyes had hinted earlier in the campaign that he would be sparing with his use of Rodwell until the second half of the season.

However, Moyes now has no choice over that matter.

The Goodison Park manager also faces a conundrum over who to play up front for the visit of Manchester United in tomorrow’s early Barclays Premier League kick-off.

Louis Saha is struggling with a calf strain, Victor Anichebe is injured while James Vaughan has joined Crystal Palace on loan for the rest of the year.