London - England skipper Jonny Wilkinson says his knee injury is worse than he first thought making it unlikely he will play any part in the forthcoming Six Nations tournament.

The World Cup hero injured knee ligaments while playing a European Cup match for Newcastle against Perpignan last Saturday.

First indications were that he would need at least a month off to mend a minor tear and would be unavailable only for the opening two games of the series.

But it is now feared Wilkinson will need six to eight weeks to recover.

'I can only just walk, so I know I can't kick'

The most optimistic outcome may enable him to return for England's matches against Italy on March 12 and Scotland on March 19, both at Twickenham.

But if he is out for eight weeks a return to the international game before the British and Irish Lions' tour to New Zealand would be impossible.

Wilkinson is unable to practise his kicking, and told The Times newspaper: "It could drive me insane not being able to practise the kicking, but I have accepted that this is the case and am trying to keep it in the back of my mind.

"I am off crutches now but walking is still hampered. I can only just walk, so I know I can't kick.

"It would have been harder having to stop myself from kicking if it had just been a slight strain."

The injury-jinxed Wilkinson was out for eight months last year recovering from a serious neck and shoulder problem before a bicep injury meant a further eight weeks out and missing England's autumn Test programme.

He has made five comeback appearances - two starts and three off the replacements' bench - since recovering from the bicep problem.

In his absence, Robinson called up Charlie Hodgson for the stand-off position for the November Twickenham Tests against Canada, South Africa and Australia. - Sapa-AFP