Johnson left feeling upset by Wilkinson
Sad: Johnson is upset to lose Wilkinson
England's Team Manager Martin Johnson has admitted that Jonny Wilkinson's latest injury setback has left him feeling upset.
Wilkinson, who played under Johnson for England, suffered yet another injury against Gloucester last week - a dislocated knee means he is likely to be out for the rest of the year.
It's a bitter blow for both Wilkinson and England, especially given that the 29-year-old was only four games into his latest comeback.
With England facing a mini-crisis at fly-half the news was upsetting to Johnson.
"It is very upsetting after the injuries he has had to get hurt again," Johnson told the official RFU podcast.
"But he's a strong guy and we look forward to him coming back."
England will now face a tough November, which includes Tests against the Pacific Islands, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, without Wilkinson.
Simon Moyes, one of the UK's leading orthopaedic surgeons, believes Wilkinson could well be back in contention for the 2009 Six Nations - which starts in February.
"The earliest he'd be likely to get back to top-level rugby would be three months, but more likely four," Moyes said of Test rugby's leading points scorer.
"I would estimate there will be a 90 per cent chance of him doing so."
With Wilkinson now not an option Johnson has the option of adding a fly-half to his 32-man Elite Player Squad, with the favourite candidate Danny Cipriani.
Cipriani was originally named in the England Saxons squad, due to his own injury, but has made a remarkable comeback.
"It's great for Danny to be back," Johnson added.
"We have been in contact the whole way through his recovery with him, as we would do with any injured player and he has worked incredibly hard, as have the people around him.
"The number ten position is very competitive - there is some good depth there.
"Jonny is obviously the most experienced guy there, but Toby Flood is playing well at Leicester, Olly Barkley can play ten and twelve, so can Shane Geraghty, and Danny's back as well, with Andy Goode and Ryan Lamb in the Saxons."