Kirkland, speaking to the club's official website, said: "I'm gutted it has happened again. It's hard to take but I'm getting over it now. I'll be back and I'm already looking forward to pre-season training in July.
"To be honest, at the time of the injury I always knew it was going to be touch and go. I didn't think I'd broken it but x-rays later proved I did and all sorts of things were going through my head then.
"As for missing out with England. There is no guarantee I'd have been selected in the squad anyway so that's the way I'm looking at. But it's still disappointing not to be in contention. It would have been a great experience to be involved but it's just not to be and I've got to set my sights on the next World Cup."