Wilkinson comeback delayed

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Wilkinson has been back in full training with his club Newcastle for the past fortnight, but director of rugby Steve Bates has revealed that a minor setback has delayed his return from a dislocated kneecap.

"Jonny has been training hard, which he needed to do, but there has been a slight reaction to that which looks like keeping him out of contention for this weekend," said Bates, referring to the Guinness Premiership trip to Bath.

"To involve him on Saturday would be hasty, but he's very close, and it might well be that he gets a run next Friday at home to Leicester," he added.

"He has had a long lay-off after quite a significant operation and we just need to go through the whole process of testing it against everything he might encounter in a game to make sure that he is 100%.

"This week we have upped the intensity a little and the knee has just swollen up a bit as a result.

"He is making fantastic progress, but we just need to make sure he's ready before we put him back on the field."

Wilkinson has also been warned he cannot be certain of strolling back into the side when fit.

Bates added: "I think Jonny recognises that the team is going very well right now and it's not necessarily going to be a case of saying 'you're fit now, so go straight in to the starting XV.'

"There's been no firm decision made but it would be inconsistent as a coach to say here's a guy in Tom May who has been playing really well at number 10, and now let's just restructure everything to accommodate one player returning."