Bates plays down Wilkinson injury

Wilkinson needed prolonged treatment in the second half of Newcastle's 13-8 defeat by London Irish in the Guiness Premiership and although he played on, he eventually went off with 12 minutes to go.

Falcons boss Steve Bates said he expects Wilkinson to be fit to face Leicester next week along with England duo Toby Flood and Jamie Noon, who missed today's game with ankle injuries.

"Jonny got a bang on the head and felt a bit of a stinger down one arm," said Bates. "He seemed fine at the end of the game, but he was a little bit woozy and the doctor has been having a look at him and we think he'll be fine."

The Falcons face Worcester in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals on April 25, with a place in the final and a shot at Heineken Cup qualification at stake.