Shaun's double blow to England

Shaun Wright-Phillips is out of England's World Cup double-header with Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan later this month after being forced to have knee surgery.

The 23-year-old wideman, who has played in every minute of every Premiership game for Manchester City so far this term, picked up the injury in Monday night's 3-2 win at Norwich.

City boss Kevin Keegan has confirmed Wright-Phillips faces "six to eight weeks" on the sidelines and will definitely not be available to Sven Goran Eriksson as England look to consolidate top spot in Group Six.

Keegan said: "Of course it is a blow to lose Shaun. The medical opinion is that it is a six to eight-week rehab process. But Wrighty is very professional and a quick healer and I can assure you that he is in great hands with our medical team."

An eight-week lay-off would also rule Wright-Phillips out of club duty until the April 30 match with Portsmouth at Eastlands, dealing a shattering blow to City's hopes of landing a UEFA Cup spot next season.