Jagielka to go under the knife

Everton defender Phil Jagielka will undergo ankle surgery following a vicious tackle from Adam Le Fondre in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Reading.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka will undergo ankle surgery following a vicious tackle from Adam Le Fondre in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Reading.

Jagielka had to be replaced after five minutes at Goodison Park when he was injured in the clash with Le Fondre.

Everton manager David Moyes described the blow as a ‘bad one’, with the England international facing two weeks on the sidelines.

“I genuinely haven’t seen it again but I thought on the pitch it didn’t look good,” Moyes told Sky Sports.

“Jagielka knew about it and it is a bad one. He will have surgery tonight to stitch up his ankle. It is a bad one because he is a key player for us.”

Everton moved within six points of fourth-placed Tottenham following the win, with Steven Pienaar’s breathtaking strike the pick of the goals.

“It was a great goal,” Moyes said. “I’m pleased because he’s an important player and I think one of the things which sometimes can be labelled at him, is that maybe he doesn’t quite score enough to go with it.

“He’s beginning to get us a few goals and today’s was right out of the sweet spot. It was good to see.”

Reading manager Brian McDermott called on his players to remain united in their bid to avoid relegation.

“The most important part of a footballer’s body is the brain,” he said.

“We need to be sure that mentally we’re absolutely right. And we will be.

“We have to stick together as a group, it’s really important – that result today won’t affect what happens to us next Saturday.

“I thought at times today, the first half in particular, we played that game on the front foot. We had opportunities from set plays and from open play.

“Everton are a side that are trying to get in the Champions League and they have some top, top players.”