Everton manager David Moyes has described Jack Rodwell’s injury as a blow - but insists the teenage prodigy can still have a big impact on Blues’ season.

Moyes confirmed the England Under-21 international has been ruled out for up to three months with an ankle problem sustained in the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

Rodwell had to be substituted after tangling with Villa defender Stephen Warnock.

Moyes said the news is a setback for both player and club, but has tipped the 19-year-old to star in the second half of the season.

“It is a big blow because we have high hopes for him,” said Moyes. “He is maturing all the time and I can see him getting better all the time. I was ready to play him as often as possible.

“You look back at how he came on against Man United last season and the impact he had on the game and I just see him maturing all the time.

“But I did think at this stage of the season we would have a lot of competition for places in central midfield. I thought he would play his games but I could see Jack coming more into it in the second half of the season.”

Moyes said he didn’t think the injury was particularly serious at first but, after it had been looked at by surgeons, discovered it was similar to the one that sidelined Marouane Fellaini for six months last season.

“When he went over I thought it was a twisted ankle and we would lose him for a week if he was going to be out at all,” added Moyes.

“He has got an injury not dissimilar to the one Fellaini had. The surgeon saw him, they knocked him out and stretched his ankle while he was unconscious and realised it was not too bad.

“From that point of view it is good news, but the bad news is we are going to be without him for two to three months."

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