Poor old Wilko has done it again. After starting the season so well, he's managed to pick up yet another serious injury, this time against Gloucester last night. It was only his fourth game back since returning from a six month shoulder injury lay-off.
Wilkinson has been hampered with injury problems for what feels like his whole career. His winning drop goal in the 2003 World Cup was also the last bit of international rugby he would play for the next three years after that.
He has suffered knee, shoulder, groin, and ankle injuries, and has even had kidney problems that caused him to be out of action. This is now his third medial ligament injury to his left knee.
Despite all the suffering, he is incredibly the top Test points scorer of all time, and recently overtook Andy Goodes Guinness Premiership points scoring record. A lesser man would have thrown in the towel by now, but Wilkinson always manages to make a comeback.
"He has enormous strength of character and I am sure he will come back stronger," said Newcastle's director of rugby Steve Bates.
This season he was looking good. His goal kicking has been top notch as always and hes showed moments of that Wilkinson magic that made him at one stage the premier flyhalf in world rugby.
This latest knee injury, only six weeks before England begin their Autumn Test campaign, will be a huge disappointment for all. On form, he was sure to be included in Martin Johnsons Test squad.
Luckily for Englands sake, Danny Cipriani has announced his return after his ankle injury, and will play for Wasps tonight.
This short clip shows a bit of what Jonny has done over the past few weeks, perhaps emphasising how unfortunate this latest set-back is for the man whos worked so hard to make yet another comeback, but seems destined to spend more of his career off the field than on it.
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