The Everton captain's knee hasn't been quite right since Dickson Etuhu's horror challenge at Fulham in September put him out for 15 weeks.
David Moyes said of the operation: "After his injury earlier this season he had a slight touch on his cartilage so it has been repaired now. It means he won't play against Portsmouth though."
And, apparently, it has also ended any hopes the 33-year-old had of going to the World Cup with England.
Apparently Fabio Capello had pencilled in the Everton captain for a place in the squad to fill his troublesome right back role...troublesome because the only othre candidate appears to be Glen Johnson, and he's shit!
Oh and the England manager has also apparently 'pleaded' - quite potentially on both knees - with Jamie Carragher for him to come out of retirement and join the England World Cup squad.
Which is a clear indication of just how troublesome that right back role is if the England boss is turning to Anfield's past-his-best-big-toothed-hoof-merchant to fill in!