Wilkinson has suffered a horrendous run of injuries

It is the latest injury blow to afflict the 26-year-old since the World Cup.

"The injury is more commonly known as a sportsman's hernia, which is the same thing Alan Shearer had a few weeks ago," said Falcons coach Rob Andrew.

"We are told it's a fairly routine operation, and hope to have him back against Leeds on 27 December."

Wilkinson appeared to be enjoying better fortune of late after a horrendous run of injuries since kicking England to World Cup glory two years ago.

WILKINSON'S INJURY WOE Neck operation - 8 months out Bruised bicep - 2 months Knee ligaments - 2 months Appendicitis - 1 month

He had appeared in five successive matches for Newcastle, his second-longest sequence since the World Cup, before missing Sunday's Premiership match at Saracens.

But he will now miss Sunday's Premiership clash with Wasps, as well as a Powergen Cup trip to Leeds and home-and-away European Challenge Cup matches against Italian side L'Aquila.

"It's yet another unfortunate blow to have Jonny out again with injury, but there's no point dwelling on it, you just have to deal with what's thrown at you," Andrew added.

"We're lucky in one regard at this club to have a number of quality players to cover that area, with Toby Flood starting there for us against Wasps on Sunday, and having a full international in Dave Walder as back-up on the bench."

Wilkinson has not played for England since their World Cup final victory two years ago this week.

After recovering from an operation to correct a serious neck problem, Wilkinson suffered a haematoma in his arm and then two knee ligament injuries.

He recovered towards the end of last season to make the Lions tour to New Zealand, but was admitted to hospital on Newcastle's pre-season tour of Japan with an inflamed appendix, which was subsequently removed.