Darren Bent is likely to miss England's European Championship campaign after being ruled out for three months.
The Aston Villa striker will be sidelined until after the end of the season following successful surgery on his ankle injury.
Scans showed that Bent suffered ruptured ankle ligaments in Villa's 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium last weekend.
With Wayne Rooney suspended for the tournament's first two matches, Bent's injury leaves the England manager, whose identity still has yet to be confirmed, short of experienced options up front.
The news will come as a major blow to Bent, who was hoping to go to Ukraine and Poland this summer after he was snubbed from the Three Lions' 2010 World Cup squad.
