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Wilkinson suffers fresh injury setback

  • Story Highlights
  • England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson dislocates his knee playing for Newcastle
  • Wilkinson now set to miss the autumn Tests against Tri-Nations countries
  • South Africa promise to send strongest team for their British tour next month
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(CNN) -- England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson has dislocated his left knee and is unlikely to be fit to take his place in the autumn rugby internationals.

Wikinson is helped off the field during Newcastle's Premiership defeat to Gloucester.

He picked up his latest injury while playing for his club side Newcastle Falcons in their 39-23 defeat to Gloucester in the English Premiership.

Wilkinson was playing only his fourth match since returning from shoulder surgery -- but had to be helped off after injurying his knee in a tackle.

Wilkinson's England career has been blighted by injuries since his drop-goal won the 2003 World Cup against Australia.

His latest setback came as England flyhalf rival, the 20-year-old Danny Cipriani, prepared to return six weeks early for Wasps later Wednesday -- four months after dislocating his right ankle.

England host the Pacific Islanders on November 8 at Twickenham before facing the Tri-Nations contingent of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand in quick succession.

Cipriani was not named in the 32-man elite England squad -- only the second-tier Saxons squad, but Wilkinson's injury may force a rethink.

Meanwhile, South Africa have confirmed they will select their "strongest possible squad" for the November Tests against Wales, Scotland and England.

The world champions' touring party will be named following South Africa's domestic Currie Cup final on October 26.

Andy Marinos, the acting managing director of South African Rugby, moved swifty to deny reports that head coach Peter de Villiers is planning to rest some of his leading players for the tour amid concerns over burn-out ahead of the 2009 series against the British Lions.

"The strongest possible team will be considered for the tour," he said.