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Rugby Union

Falcons optimistic about Wilkinson recover following knee op

04/10/2008

Newcastle Falcons are confident about the return of fly-half Jonny Wilkinson after he had surgery on his dislocated knee.

Wilkinson sustained the injury during the first-half of Newcastle's defeat against Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership on Tuesday night.

The 29-year-old has suffered three injuries to his left knee in the past but this is the first time he has had trouble with his right knee.

Wilkinson is expected to be out until at least Christmas but Falcons director of rugby Steve Bates is optimistic he will be able to recover 100 per cent from his latest setback.

Bates said: "Jonny has had his operation, and the reports are that it went well.

"They are optimistic about it, and we will have to see how it progresses."

Wilkinson was only four games into his latest comeback, having missed the end of last season with a shoulder injury which also required surgery.

That forced the World Cup winner to miss England's tour to New Zealand and he will now sit out the Autumn internationals against, Pacific Islands, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Bates admits Wilkinson has been unfortunate to miss yet another set of England fixtures but claims he is no more vulnerable than any other player.

He said: "It is a reasonably difficult injury, and it will take a bit of time to come back.

"Jonny plays with 100 per cent effort, and in that respect he is very vulnerable, but he is just the same as everyone else.''

Newcastle are likely to use 18-year-old fly-half Rory Clegg while Wilkinson is injured. Meanwhil the number ten England jersey is likely to go to Wasps Danny Cipriani following his comeback from injury.