Former England midfielder Darren Anderton has said that Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez will be "heartbroken" at the prospect of missing the World Cup through injury.
The 24-year-old, who was expected to be part of Roy Hodgson's squad that will travel to Brazil for the tournament, has been ruled out for six months with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Anderton, whose own career was disrupted by injury, believes that Rodriguez must learn to accept the situation.
"He'll be heartbroken," Anderton told BBC Late Kick Off South, South West and West. "Everyone want to go to the World Cup, he's had a great season. You could see his reaction, he was devastated and knew it was a bad one.
"It's very difficult. It's six months and at least he knows that and it is something he has to get his head around. I was lucky I got injured and managed to get fit just in time for major tournaments. He has to forget about the World Cup now and I'm sure he will not want to watch it."
Anderton won 30 caps for England between 1994 and 2001.
Steven Toplis
