Wilkinson could return to action on 11 September

"The Lions experience was not good for Jonny - I thought he was handled poorly," the former England player told The Mail on Sunday newspaper.

"The one thing he needed more than anything in New Zealand was matches.

"Not playing him and then drafting him into a Test match out of position is not the way to handle Jonny Wilkinson."

Wilkinson was picked at inside centre for the first Lions test against New Zealand, despite having only played 20 minutes in that position during the tour.

The 26-year-old has recently been suffering from an inflamed appendix and had to go to hospital during Newcastle's pre-season tour of Japan.

He will not play in Newcastle's Guinness Premiership opener at Sale next week.

However, he could be ready to play against Bristol on 11 September.

Andrew also said he would not mind if Wilkinson lost the England captaincy.

"We made Colin Charvis captain of Newcastle because we felt it was right for the club and the team.

"I also felt it was right for Jonny not to be club captain this year because I would just love to see him play three months on the trot with no responsibilities."