Jonny Wilkinson may miss the Six Nations and the Lions tour but he is determined to play rugby again.

The England fly-half dislocated his left knee while playing for Newcastle against Gloucester in the Premiership last week and he has been told he will not play again until March.

He said: "My knee specialist confirmed that the recovery time for my left knee is likely to be five months.

"It is no secret that this does not augur well for my hopes for England, or the Lions later in the summer, but, as is my way, I will not rule anything out. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen, but it will have been worth striving for.

"I'll just nail one thing though, the idea that this might be the end of my playing career. Forget it.

"It's not a consideration. When I did the knee, against Gloucester last week, I was actually quite positive and thinking it would be just one month. Obviously it didn't quite pan out that way, but I have no doubt that I'll be back."

Wilkinson has already had surgery on the knee and he revealed he is in more pain now than he ever has been after an operation.

He added: "Rehabilitating from the operation on my neck in 2004 was very tough and on my shoulder this summer made it hard to sleep, and I've had other knee problems before, but I've never had to move so slowly and cautiously and I've always had enough movement, even when on crutches, to carry things with me."