Newcastle Falcons and England superstar Jonny Wilkinson will NOT play against the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

The World Cup hero will be out of action for between four to six weeks because of a haematoma in his upper right arm, the Falcons revealed today.

The news will come as a huge blow to Gwent rugby fans, many of whom will have bought their tickets for the chance to see rugby's most famous player.

Rodney Parade was on course for its first full-house since Newport played Munster in the Heineken Cup nearly four years ago.

On one day alone 600 tickets were sold and more than 7,000 have now been snapped up.

Stand tickets have all gone - now the Dragons will have to wait and see if the prospect of Newcastle without Wilko is enough to fill the Argus Terrace.

On the plus side, the absence of the current Sports Personality of the Year, who kicked England to World Cup glory, will boost the Dragons' chances of getting off to a flying start in the Heineken Cup.

Outside half Wilkinson also looks set to miss England's autumn Tests as a result of his latest injury.

Newcastle rugby director Rob Andrew said: "We have spoken to Jonny and what we are doing is in the best interests of the player."

England kick off their autumn programme against Canada at Twickenham on November 13, and it looks certain that Wilkinson will miss that game, plus the subsequent appointments with South Africa and Australia.

Wilkinson was sidelined for eight months this year as he recovered from a career-threatening neck and shoulder problem that required surgery.

The 25-year-old made his comeback in August, and subsequently started all seven of Newcastle's Zurich Premiership games this season.

Wilkinson has not played for England since the World Cup final against Australia in Sydney last November.