England coach Martin Johnson admits he was stunned by Jonny Wilkinson's latest injury setback.

Wilkinson suffered a dislocated knee-cap on Premiership duty for Newcastle against Gloucester nine days ago.

The Falcons fly-half faces a probable four-month recovery period after successful surgery that leaves Johnson without England's record points-scorer for Twickenham clashes against the Pacific Islands, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand next month.

"It is very upsetting when you see that for a guy who has had a lot of injuries during the last four or five years to get hurt again," Johnson said.

"But he's a strong guy. He's had surgery, which has gone well and we look forward to him coming back."

Danny Cipriani, who ended last season's Six Nations as England fly-half, is likely to be promoted from the England Saxons squad to replace Wilkinson in Johnson's 32-man elite group.

Cipriani began his comeback from an horrific ankle injury just 24 hours after Wilkinson was hurt.

Johnson said: "It's great for Danny to be back. I spoke to him on the Monday after he had hurt himself and he was already talking about getting back.

"We have been in contact the whole way with him, as we would do with any injured player.

"Danny has worked incredibly hard, as have the people around him. But the day before he comes back, Jonny gets hurt."

AFP