The Newcastle fly-half, injured against Worcester on Friday, revealed the extent of his latest crisis in his column in The Times.

He said: I've gone past the stage of saying Why me... why does it always happen?'

I know some people will start thinking about what that means regarding the autumn international season.

I guess it does not augur well but, to be honest, thoughts of England are miles away.

I've started to come to terms with my situation. I accept the injuries more quickly and rather than wasting mental energy feeling frustrated I'm instead thinking 'What can I do to cut down the rehab time.'

He added: The injury is exactly the same as the old knee injury except it's the right knee this time. It's a grade two partial medial ligament tear. It took me nine weeks to come back from the last one.

I heard quite a rigorous pop [when it happened], a noise I recognised from when I'd injured my left knee. When I stood up I had that same loose feeling around the joint so I knew pretty much immediately what had happened.

I knew I couldn't play on, I was just keen to get off the field and get it iced.