Heskey is not expected to return until October

Physio Alan Tomlinson did not set a comeback date for the player but he is unlikely to be fit for England's games against Estonia and Russia in October.

"The most important thing is that he recovers and the foot heals properly," he told the club website.

"His attitude since joining has been exemplary and I've no doubt he'll carry that commitment into his rehab work."

Heskey sustained the injury after just nine minutes of the game, his first appearance for Wigan since his impressive return to the England fold after a three-year exile.

"It is such bad luck - bad for Wigan, bad for England," said Wigan chairman Dave Whelan.

606: DEBATE This is a real blow for us - how does everyone think we will do without England's number 9? Sheikh_Mahand

"I think he will definitely miss the first England game.

"It is bad luck, we are all aware of that. We were shocked on Saturday. He just jumped up in the air and came down on his ankle."

The 29-year-old striker played in both England's recent games against Israel and Russia, and was extremely impressive on his return to England duty alongside Michael Owen.

But the injury now casts major doubt on whether he will be fit for the mid-October internationals, games that will have a major impact on whether England qualify for next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland.