The injury means that Vassell will miss England's visit to Spain in November but he should be available for selection for the Three Lions' next qualifier, against Northern Ireland in March 2005.

Vassell said: "I have broken my leg twice playing for Villa and both times got back playing better and stronger, and I'll be looking to do the same again.

"I think it's six weeks in plaster but I've got to see the doctor again later this week to see, then after those six weeks it will be another six weeks of rehabilitation.

"Then I will be looking to try and get involved again. It's disappointing but it is not the end of the world for me.

"I can still salvage the end of the season if I get back by the end of January, so it's not too bad."

Vassell, who has scored six goals for England in 22 appearances, knew that there was something wrong as soon as Fulham's Papa Boupa Diop tackled him.

"I knew as soon as he did it that something bad had happened," he said.

"The physios looked at the injury and didn't seem to think it was that bad at first. There wasn't much swelling, and I could move my toes but I had an X-ray just to make sure and it turned out that it was broken.

"I knew deep down that it was. I spoke to Juan Pablo Angel, who was the closest at the time, and he knew straight away it was broken.

"I was in a lot of pain but it's not too bad now. I'm fine, it's not painful at all. It's just all plastered up and I've just got to wait to get back."