Vassell to miss World Cup.

The club have announced that Darius Vassell will likely undergo a hernia op at the end of the season, ruling out any chance of a late call up to the England World Cup squad.

Vassell, who has not had a sniff of the England squad all season had been touted for a possible call up should Wayne Rooney definitely miss the tournament, and given Michael Owen's ongoing fitness concerns.

It seems that Sven is set upon taking Rooney no matter what but assuming Owen is fit, Vassell will still find himself behind the Newcastle striker, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent in the pecking order with most observers believing only four strikers will be named in the final twenty-three.

Personally, I always thought Vassell had acquitted himself well when called upon at international level but has fallen out of favour and suffered from the loss of Andrew Cole for the latter part of the season when it was a last chance to stake his claim.

The hernia injury has also been a factor in some of his inconsistent form so hopefully he will undergo the op and come back fully fit for the start of next season.