Wilkinson Gone Until November With Medial Ligament Injury

Jonny Wilkinson is almost certainly out of England's November Tests against New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa after Newcastle confirmed his latest setback will sideline him for between four and eight weeks.

The injury-jinxed fly-half twisted his right knee during the Falcons' victory over Worcester on Friday night after team-mate Andy Buist fell on him. Scans have revealed the problem to be a grade two medial ligament injury, meaning he is unlikely to play again before mid-November.

It is another cruel blow for the 27-year-old, and has effectively dashed his hopes of a possible England comeback until the 2007 Six Nations Championship. Wilkinson, England's record points scorer, has not represented his country since the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney, having suffered a series of setbacks.

He has been laid low by three knee injuries, in addition to neck, bicep, groin and appendix problems and despite being named in England's elite player squad last month now looks to have little chance of being available for the November Tests.

"The scans have confirmed what we initially thought on the night," said Newcastle rugby director John Fletcher. "At the moment, we are probably looking at Jonny being out for somewhere between four and eight weeks. We are bitterly disappointed for him because he had finished last season so well, had an excellent pre-season and then started brightly again this time around. It was a freak accident really, but these sorts of industrial injuries are not uncommon in rugby and we look forward to having him back again fully fit."