Ankle injury rules Everton's Jagielka out of England's World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and San Marino

PUBLISHED: 17:30 EST, 4 March 2013 | UPDATED: 17:30 EST, 4 March 2013

Phil Jagielka is set to miss England's World Cup qualifiers this month due to the severity of the ankle injury he suffered against Reading.

To stand any chance of being in Roy Hodgson's squad for the games against Montenegro and San Marino, he would have to be involved in the Barclays Premier League clash against Manchester City on March 16 but the Everton defender is facing three weeks on the sidelines.

Hodgson names his squad for the crucial double header on Thursday week but Jagielka, whose last cap came against Poland on October 17, is almost certain to be absent as he convalesces from the bad gash which forced him off in the early stages of Everton's 3-1 win at the weekend.

Injured: And Phil Jagielka is consequently set to miss out on England's next squad

Jagielka, 30, needed to go to hospital on Saturday night to have minor surgery and multiple stitches inserted into the wound he sustained following a reckless challenge by Reading's Adam Le Fondre that enraged Everton manager David Moyes.

It was initially feared the injury might bring a premature end to Jagielka's season but, as there was no bone or ligament damage, he is now expected to target Stoke City's trip to Goodison Park on March 30 as a suitable point to return.

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Darron Gibson, meanwhile, is hopeful he will not need an operation to cure the thigh problem that Moyes believes has been limiting his performances. The Republic of Ireland midfielder has calcification at the top of his thigh but he hopes surgery will be avoided.

'Fingers crossed it won't need an operation,' said Gibson. 'I'm just managing it at the moment. I'm happy enough. I'm comfortable playing.'