England's World Cup final winner continued his comeback from a career-threatening neck and shoulder problem during Newcastle's 13-10 defeat against Munster in Limerick on Monday.

It was his second appearance of the summer, and he again emerged unscathed following a 60 minute contribution.

He is now poised to complete an entire match - for the first time since England were crowned world champions by beating Australia last November - against Pertemps Bees at Kingston Park on Saturday.

"Jonny has played 40 minutes against Connacht and then 60 against Munster, and he's fine,'' said Falcons rugby director Rob Andrew.

"Jonny is obviously a little disappointed with the nature of the game (against Munster), but we will give him a full match against Pertemps Bees on Saturday ahead of the start of the season.''

Newcastle kick off their English Premiership campaign away to newly-promoted Worcester on September 5, and that will be the first major test for fly-half Wilkinson after eight months of injury misery.

England, meanwhile, hope to welcome him back for their next game - a November 13 Twickenham appointment with Canada.

In the absence of Wilkinson, Sir Clive Woodward's world champions have won just three out of eight Tests, losing to New Zealand (twice), Australia, France and Ireland, and also relinquishing their RBS 6 Nations crown.