Saha shattered by ankle surgery

Everton boss David Moyes has confirmed striker Louis Saha will be out for the remainder of the season following ankle surgery.

The Frenchman damaged his ankle when he fell awkwardly after rising for a header in the win over Fulham, and he is said to be “devastated” by the latest setback.

“Louis is really down and disappointed. He is devastated in fact, because the last thing he wanted was to be out when he was finding a bit of form and consistency,” Moyes said.

“He has needed an operation on his ankle so what can we do? It is football, isn’t it? You pick up injuries and we try not to talk too much about them but we have a spate of them at this present time.”

The Frenchman was enjoying a healthy run in front of goal until the untimely setback. And his loss has only added to Everton’s injury woes.

Marouane Fellaini, like Saha, is out for the season, while the fitness of Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill remain in doubt ahead of the clash with Aston Villa on Saturday.

Moyes also weighed in on the debate over the holding of international friendlies during the business end of the domestic season.

The Scot, who released Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines for international duty with England for the Ghana friendly, admitted he was reluctant in letting the players go.

“I do take a lot of pride because I want them to be selected for their country, but I am beginning to doubt if that is what I want.”

“I am just beginning to look and say, ?Is it worth it??. We have lost quite a few players. They don?t pay the players? wages, we have to.”