Wilkinson evades surgeon's knife but remains a selection doubt

Wilkinson underwent a scan on Tuesday after reporting to England's training camp with a shoulder problem sustained in Toulon's defeat to Stade Francais on Saturday night.

Johnson said: "Jonny has seen the specialist and had the results from the scan. He doesn't need surgery and is receiving rehab from the medical team.

"We have to work out what the injury means in terms of rugby going into next week. He will be assessed day-to-day and we will have a better idea towards the end of the week where he is.

"I'd describe it as wear and tear. Like a lot of these injuries, it is not as clear cut as all that and you have to work out what the results mean for his ability to play rugby at the highest level."

But Johnson has not closed the door on Wilkinson recovering in time to feature against the

All Blacks in the first of England's four Investec internationals.

"There is not a game on Saturday for us. It would be pretty clear cut if there was," said Johnson.

England also have injury concerns over Riki Flutey and Simon Shaw, who have not trained this week after suffering calf injuries.

Leeds flanker Hendrie Fourie returned to training yesterday after taking a bang to the ribs in Carnegie's defeat to Sale last Friday night.

David Wilson's back problem cleared up enough for him to take part in training but fellow prop Paul Doran-Jones sat out the session at Pennyhill Park as a precaution.

Leeds's management team will resist any temptation to make sweeping changes for Sunday's visit of Wasps.

Last weekend's abject 6-3 loss against Sale has been described by director of rugby Andy Key as one of the club's worst yet as they continue to seek that elusive first Premiership win.

But he insisted there will be no knee-jerk reaction when considering selection for a game involving opponents who endured their own nadir with an embarrassingly emphatic home defeat against Northampton.

"There are times when you have to reflect and accept you just had a bad day at the office," said Key. "We had that on Friday.

"It was bruising, both physically and on the soul, but everyone has come through okay and it's about picking ourselves up now.

"You don't become a bad team or bad players overnight.

"Certain players and the team on a whole are chomping at the bit wanting to put right the wrong we had against Sale."

Leeds are without England duo Fourie and Steve Thompson meaning Rhys Oakley and fit-again Alfie Too'ala will compete for the openside spot with Andy Titterrell promoted to starting hooker and Phil Nilsen coming in for only his second game this season off the bench.

Wasps are without their England stars Flutey, Shaw and Joe Simpson but the Yorkshire outfit may have been hoping their opponents would be hit harder still by international commitments.

England team manager Johnson called up Dan Ward-Smith as cover earlier this week and Tim Payne and Dominic Waldouck were also in his squad but they have all since been released back to their club and told they can play at Headingley.

"Like always, you want a little bit of luck or fortune," said Key.

"But – although we'd take anything at the moment for our first win – we'd rather be tested against sides as they are rather than a weaker team."

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