LONDON (AFP) - England captain Jonny Wilkinson is virtually certain to miss the November Tests against Canada, South Africa and Australia after being ruled out of action for up to six weeks with an arm injury.
Wilkinson suffered bleeding in the bicep muscle in his right arm while playing for Newcastle against Wasps on October 10 and may have aggravated the injury by playing in last weekend's clash with Saracens, during which he was in obvious discomfort.
His club confirmed on Thursday that he would require an extended lay-off to allow the injury to heal.
"We have spoken to Jonny about this and what we are doing is in the best interests of the player," Newcastle rugby director Rob Andrew said.
Wilkinson is certain to miss the Test clash with Canada on November 13 and it would be a major surprise if he was ready for the matches against the southern hemisphere giants on the following weekends.
The loss of Wilkinson is a severe blow for new England coach Andy Robinson, who has already lost star flanker Richard Hill for the autumn Tests and next year's Six Nations and is unsure whether hoooker Steve Thompson will be ready for next month's matches after a rib injury.
Clive Woodward's successor however refused to rule Wilkinson out entirely.
"This is disappointing but we'll wait and see how Jonny responds to treatment in the next few weeks," Robinson said. "I am not discounting him yet for next month's internationals."
Robinson had however said earlier this week that he would not risk any player who was not fully fit, suggesting Wilkinson is likely to be relieved of international duties until the Six Nations.
The 25-year-old was sidelined for eight months this year after undergoing surgery on a career-threatening neck and shoulder problem in the wake of last year's World Cup.
He has not played for England since kicking the winning drop goal in the World Cup final against Australia in Sydney last November.
Andrew however insisted that the latest injury was not connected to the problem addressed by the surgery Wilkinson had after the World Cup.
"This is unfortunate following on from his previous injury, but it is not related at all to that one and is completely separate. Well just let him recover over the next few weeks and then get him back on the field again.
"Were obviously disappointed that Jonny will be out for a while, but were lucky in that we already have an international fly half ready to come in with having Dave Walder in our squad, and we know he will do an excellent job for us there as he has done in the past."
Sale's Charlie Hodgson, who has been in superb form this season, will replace Wilkinson at flyhalf for England while lock Steve Borthwick and centre Mike Tindall would be the most likely stand-ins as captain.