Johnson out of England reckoning

The 26-year-old came off the bench to drag his side back into their clash with Newcastle at St James' Park with a 53rd-minute equaliser but manager David Moyes revealed after the game that he will have an operation - he had surgery on his other ankle last season - and will be out of action for up to four weeks.

"It is a big blow for Everton. We have known for a while he has had a problem with his ankle and he has also been carrying a groin injury, which kept him out recently," said Moyes. "With the international break, unfortunately for England, it is probably the best time to get his ankle sorted now. "

He added: "We just know he has got a problem and Andy wants it sorted, so we have to get that done."

The news capped a frustrating day on Tyneside for the Toffees, who fell behind to Nicky Butt's 42nd-minute strike after seeing the Magpies squander a series of earlier opportunities.

Johnson arrived as a half-time replacement for James McFadden and dragged his side back into the game within eight minutes as Newcastle lost their way.

However, Emre smashed home a 25-yard drive four minutes from time before Owen deflected in the third off his shoulder and the underside of the bar at the death.

There was still time for Everton to reduce the deficit when Shay Given could only help Mikel Arteta's deflected cross into his own net in injury time, but the points were safe.

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce said: "Michael came on and won us the game, and you can see the importance of him.

"It would have been a disaster for us had a fluke goal for Everton in the 92nd minute got them something."