Martin Johnson happy with scrum-half position despite loss of Danny Care

Martin Johnson is happy with England's scrum-half depth ahead of the Rugby World Cup despite losing injured Harlequins star Danny Care.

A "devastated" Care was one of Johnson's certainties in his 30-man World Cup squad that will be announced next Monday.

But the 24-year-old will undergo surgery today to repair a damaged joint in his left big toe suffered during last Saturday's defeat against World Cup warm-up opponents Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

England's medical staff anticipate that Care, who has won 32 caps, will be sidelined for six weeks.

With Johnson confident last season's Six Nations number nine Ben Youngs will be fit and available after having a knee operation earlier this summer, it leaves Saracens' Richard Wigglesworth in pole position to join Youngs at the World Cup.

Johnson must then decide whether to name a third scrum-half - Wasps' Joe Simpson - or maximise the versatility of a player like full-back Ben Foden, who has played Premiership rugby in the number nine position.

"We are all hugely disappointed for Danny, who has worked extremely hard and has been an important part of the squad throughout our Rugby World Cup preparations," said Johnson.

"He featured in both warm-up fixtures (against Wales) and was on course for selection, so this injury is really disappointing for him personally and for us as a squad.

"Nobody wants to see a player ruled out at this stage through injury, and we all wish Danny a speedy recovery.

"In terms of our selection options we are fortunate to have depth at nine with Ben Youngs, now back into full training, Joe Simpson and Richard Wigglesworth.

"These guys have all been part of the Rugby World Cup camp and will be considered ahead of the final 30-man squad announced on Monday."

Care said on Twitter: "Absolutely devastated about my injury, but in the best hands for my op.

"Thank you so much to everyone for your kind messages, helping me getting through this tough time. Supposedly everything happens for a reason?"

Care was the form scrum-half in England at the end of last season, and he had mounted a strong case to reclaim the England nine shirt from Youngs.

Wigglesworth, who enjoyed an impressive season with Aviva Premiership champions Saracens, started last Saturday's game in Cardiff but was replaced after 30 minutes, having suffered a blow to the head.

Care featured off the bench as a result, and he was arguably the shining light in an otherwise ineffective performance littered with wasted chances after England enjoyed set-piece supremacy.

England's final warm-up fixture is against Ireland in Dublin next week, before they head to New Zealand and an opening Pool B appointment with Argentina on September 10.