Wilkinson return on hold

European Cup Roundup: Jonny Wilkinson's comeback from injury is on hold for at least another week. The England outhalf will not feature for Newcastle in their European Cup Pool Five meeting with Edinburgh at Kingston Park tomorrow.

Wilkinson, who had been hoping to return this week, has been sidelined by a bicep injury since mid-October, missing Falcons' opening two European Cup fixtures.

He also sat out England's three autumn internationals - against Canada, South Africa and Australia - after being appointed captain by Andy Robinson.

Newcastle's director of rugby Rob Andrew does not see Wilkinson returning to action soon. Andrew explained: "Jonny has to be given the all-clear by his medical team to do contact sessions and he has to be comfortable when he does them.

"When he's done at least one or two contact sessions and he's done it to his and his medical team's satisfaction that he is 100 per cent confident, then we'll introduce him back into the squad."

Wilkinson has been plagued with injuries for over a year.

Elsewhere, Northampton, currently propping up the Premiership following a club record nine successive league defeats, face a daunting task against French giants Toulouse at Franklin's Gardens today.

But victory under their new coaching partnership of Budge Pountney and Paul Grayson, would put them top of Pool Three after victories over Glasgow and Llanelli Scarlets.

"We are looking to qualify for the knock-out stages, and for the away game (against Northampton) I am far more interested in the result than the performance itself," said Toulouse head coach Guy Noves.