Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate will undergo an exploratory operation on his left knee on Monday which will rule him out of England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia next month.

The 27-year-old, who has been hampered by the problem for several months, is available for Sunday's final Premiership fixture against Fulham, but will then have surgery to assess the extent of any damage.

Manager Gareth Southgate said: "Jonathan is going to have an exploratory operation on his left knee on Monday.

"He has had a niggle for the last couple of months, so they are going to take at look at it and we will have a clearer picture of what the problem is after Monday.

"The operation will mean he will not be available for the England games this summer."

Woodgate, who joined Boro in a permanent deal last month after spending the season on loan from Real Madrid, will also miss the friendly against Brazil on June 1st.