Wilkinson could be out until Christmas

9:00am Thursday 2nd October 2008

JONNY Wilkinson is battling to play again before Christmas after being cut down by another cruel injury blow.

The Newcastle fly-half looks certain to miss England’s entire autumn Test programme, which features Twickenham clashes with the Pacific Islanders, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Wilkinson’s place in the 32- man elite England squad is set to be filled by Danny Cipriani.

Neither Newcastle nor the Rugby Football Union are speculating on how long Wilkinson will be sidelined after he dislocated his left knee during Falcons’ Guinness Premiership defeat against Gloucester on Tuesday.

But it is understood a three-month absence is probable as he braces himself for detailed specialist advice following a scan yesterday.

Newcastle rugby director Steve Bates said: ‘‘It is obviously disappointing for Jonny to receive an injury just when he was back playing fantastic rugby.

‘‘But he has enormous strength of character and I am sure he will come back stronger despite this blow.’’ In a statement, the RFU said they will comment after they receive the results of the specialist’s review.’’ It was initially feared that Wilkinson had suffered knee ligament damage when he limped off after being caught in a ruck during the game at Kingsholm.

Wilkinson was featuring in just his fourth match after undergoing summer shoulder surgery that sidelined him for England’s two-Test New Zealand tour.

He has been plagued by injury since landing the winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final against Australia.

He needed treatment on a shoulder injury after that match and has since picked up knee, bicep and groin injuries.

He has also required surgery to cure kidney and appendix problems.

While Wilkinson ponders another lay-off, England manager Martin Johnson can only keep his fingers crossed that 20-year-old Wasps ace Cipriani enjoys an injury-free run.

Cipriani finished last season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship as the player in possession of England’s number 10 shirt.

He produced a commanding performance, kicking 18 points during a comprehensive victory over Ireland, but then an horrific ankle injury suffered while on Premiership play-off duty for his club against Bath ended Cipriani’s campaign.

It was initially thought he would be out for six months, therefore being unavailable to contest an autumn Test place.

But Cipriani recovered six weeks ahead of schedule and made his comeback against Bath in the Premiership last night.

Cipriani was originally named in the second-tier England Saxons squad while he continued his recovery throughout the summer, but with Wilkinson likely to be missing next month, promotion to the main squad looks inevitable.