INJURY woes are already overshadowing Sunday's Heineken Cup showdown between Newport Gwent Dragons and Newcastle at Kingston Park, writes Robin Davey.

England star Jonny Wilkinson is out of the game and the Wales-England Six Nations opener on February 5 after injuring knee ligaments against Perpignan on Saturday, the latest in a damaging series of injuries.

Since that famous dropped goal which landed England victory over Australia and the World Cup 14 months ago Wilkinson has hardly played after suffering major shoulder and bicep injuries and now damaged knee ligaments.

Newcastle will also be without Wilkinson's normal replacement Chris Walder, who kicked the Dragons to defeat in the first leg at Rodney Parade, because he had a knee operation last week.

Influential Australian full back Matt Burke is also doubtful with a knee injury while centre Jamie Noon could well be out as well after going off with what appeared to be concussion in the first half against Perpignan.

On top of that, tight head prop Marius Hurter has returned to South Africa, and Newcastle suffered huge problems in the scrum against the French team.

But the Dragons have got injury problems as well. Winger Nathan Brew was forced off with damaged ankle ligaments just 18 minutes into the Edinburgh game and was on crutches after the match, clearly out for some time.

Centre Hal Luscombe injured a thumb in the second half and left the field in the closing stages. He was due to have an X-ray examination today.

Scrum half Gareth Cooper is struggling, still unable to train fully last week because of a groin strain and missing the last three matches. Prop Rod Snow is also missing after a second knee operation of the season and at number eight Richard Bryan is out for the season.

Wilkinson could barely hide his disappointment at his latest setback. "It's enormously frustrating having come back from injury twice already this season to have to miss even more rugby," he said.

"Now I have to focus on getting past this and I'm determined to put it behind me and come back even stronger."