Wilkinson suffers injury setback Carling dismisses Wilkinson fears

Wilkinson had been expected to be out for up to six weeks after suffering a haematoma in his upper right arm.

"It's difficult to be totally accurate but I'm not ruling myself out of the autumn internationals," Wilkinson wrote in his column in The Times.

"I am just going about my business and staying in close contact with the coaches and medical staff."

The 25-year-old admitted the injury had prevented him pursuing his usual meticulous preparation for matches, and that the decision to rest had been inevitable.

I'm positive and enthusiastic about getting to the bottom of it Jonny Wilkinson

"The injury has given me no chance to prepare," he said.

"I could not continue going into games without the right preparation because I would always be looking at damage limitation.

"This week I knew there was no decision really - I had to rest.

"I am not good at making decisions about whether I play or not because deep down I would never refuse to play. It was a group decision.

"I may be disappointed and frustrated but I'm also positive and enthusiastic about getting to the bottom of it."

Wilkinson has suffered with injuries since his famous drop-goal to win the World Cup last year.

I think he'll be back but he's got competition from Hodgson and Barkley for that place From MT Have your say on Scrum V

He missed both the Six Nations and the summer tour of New Zealand and Australia after undergoing surgery on longstanding neck and shoulder problems.

But his problem with his right arm is unlinked to previous troubles.

England's first Test under new coach Andy Robinson is against Canada on 13 November, followed by matches against South Africa and Australia.