Everton’s John Stones out for 14 weeks

Everton’s John Stones out for up to 14 weeks

England and Everton defender John Stones has received a major injury blow, with news that he has damaged ankle ligaments and will require surgery that could keep him out of action for up to 14 weeks.

Stones injured his ankle is his sides 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on the weekend and was forced into withdrawing from the Euro 2016 qualifiers England are set to play at home to San Marino and then away to Estonia.

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It was hoped that he would be able to return to action after the International break, yet scans revealed the true extent of the damage. It is a blow for the 20-year-old, who has emerged as one of England and the Premier League’s brightest young talents.

He has shown his versatility, playing at centre-back and right-back for both club and country and his maturity belies his young age. Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been happy to through Stones into big game, clearly confident of his ability but also his mental fortitude.

Stones will look to bounce back stronger from the setback, but even if he misses only 10 weeks of action he will be watching 16 Everton games and 4 England fixtures from the side-lines.

England have called up Arsenal youngster Calum Chambers from the Under-21 squad as a like for like replacement for Stones. Chambers has had a similar progression to Stones, with his performances for Arsenal gaining rave reviews.

His discipline is one aspect of his game that needs to be addressed however; as he has picked up five yellow cards in his first five Premier League starts, leading to a one-game suspension.

Hopefully he can find his feet at International level and form a solid partnership with Stones on his return from injury. England has a relatively simple group from which to qualify for Euro 2016 and head coach Roy Hodgson will be looking to give his younger players as much experience as possible.

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