England's talismanic kicker Jonny Wilkinson looks set to be on the sidelines for up to three weeks after fracturing a facet in his shoulder, it was announced.

The 24-year-old, whose drop goal in the last minute of extra-time handed England a 20-17 victory over Australia in the World Cup final, discovered the extent of the injury after a scan on Saturday.

It is believed Wilkinson suffered the damage in the World Cup final after he made a juddering tackle on Aussie centre Elton Flatley and not in a car accident following the victory parade in London last Monday.

He will miss Newcastle's European Challenge Cup match against Spanish side Valladolid on Sunday and England's celebration match against the New Zealand Barbarians next weekend.

"Jonny is a tough guy and he is desperately disappointed because he just wants to get back on the field," Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew told BBC Radio Five Live.

Wilkinson lay on the ground for a couple of minutes following his tackle on Flatley midway through the first-half of the Cup final and admitted afterwards that such was the pain he thought he might have to go off.

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