 Wilkinson is helped from the pitch during the game against Perpignan |
Jonny Wilkinson is likely to miss England's first two Six Nations games after injuring his knee playing for Newcastle in the Heineken Cup. The 25-year-old damaged a ligament in the 33-12 loss to French side Perpignan and could be out for up to six weeks.
He said: "It's enormously frustrating, having come back from injury twice already this season, to have to miss even more rugby.
"I have to focus on getting past this - I'm determined to put it behind me."
Wilkinson added: "It felt at the time like I had taken a hit, but I am told from people on the sidelines that it wasn't, it just felt like that because of the pain.
"I have recovered from injuries before, and I am totally focused on moving onwards from here."
England face Wales in Cardiff on 5 February, France at Twickenham on 13 February and Ireland in Dublin on 27 February.
England coach Andy Robinson told BBC Sport: "This is Jonny's third injury in a row and to be out for four to six weeks is bitterly disappointing.
"Hopefully he will be ready for the Ireland match."
Newcastle coach Rob Andrew admitted there was relief that Wilkinson's injury was not more serious.
"He had an MRI scan last night and there is quite a lot of relief that it is not as bad as it could have been," he said.
"It is a medial ligament problem. It is a fairly common injury in the game and most medics would say it needs a minimum of four to six weeks' rehabilitation and there is no surgery involved."
The match in France was Wilkinson's second start since returning from the bicep problem.
Newcastle club doctor Andy Ramshaw said: "We must be thankful at least that the injury is not as serious as it could have been, and that the anterior cruciate ligament was not damaged.
"I would also like to thank the Perpignan club doctor, Olivier Lambert, for going to enormous lengths in making it possible for us to get the scan done so quickly after the match."
MMIX
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It is extraordinary that there have been three injuries which are totally unrelated 
