JONNY Wilkinson had a groin operation in London yesterday and is not expected to play again for a month.

It's the latest in an extraordinary sequence of setbacks for the Newcastle Falcons star since his winning drop goal in the World Cup final two years ago.

After an appendix operation kept him out at the start of this season, it seemed his troubles might be over when he completed five successive games. But he was a late withdrawal from last Sunday's defeat at Saracens because of an injury said to be the same as the one from which Alan Shearer is currently recovering.

Wilkinson should be fit for the Guinness Premiership match at Leeds on December 27, meanwhile he misses Sunday's game at home to Wasps, next Friday's Powergen Cup tie at Leeds and the home and away legs against Italian club L'Aquila in the European Challenge Cup.

Director of Rugby Rob Andrew said: "It's yet another unfortunate blow but we are lucky in having a number of quality players to cover that area. We have Toby Flood playing at fly half on Sunday with a full international in David Walder on the bench."

Flood switches from inside centre with Mark Mayerhofler returning after injury to renew his partnership with Jamie Noon, while Mathew Tait moves to the wing for James Hoyle.

Although delighted to have Noon available after being dropped by England, Andrew said: "I think he has been harshly dealt with.

"He has been the victim of the England game plan because they did not play a style which would best utilise his undoubted talents. For me he has been the form centre in English rugby this season.

"He's upset about it but he must be used to it by now because it's by no means the first time England have treated him in this way.

"I feel sorry for him because he has done the hard work against Australia and New Zealand and has been denied the chance to cut loose against a team who in all probability England will beat quite easily."

* Tabua Cakacaka, the player who was sent off two minutes after going on as a replacement for Darlington Mowden Park against Macclesfield, has been banned for 32 weeks.

Most observers thought he had thrown a punch but a touch judge reported that the offence was butting and Mowden did not appeal as Cakacaka was unlikely to play for them again. He had signed on a temporary basis from Gateshead Thunder.

Mowden will have lock Iain Robinson in contention after a five-week absence with an ankle injury for tomorrow's National Three North match at home to New Brighton.

Darlington's squad will be unchanged for the difficult match at Bradford and Bingley, who are one point behind them with two games in hand.

Attempts to strengthen the front row cover have so far draw a blank and coach Phil Lancaster is again likely to be on the bench. Whether skipper Paul Lee joins him there or resumes at fly half has yet to be decided.

Middlesbrough have a rearranged North One match at Longton, near Stoke, which is subject to pitch inspections tonight and early tomorrow.

Boro skipper Iain Bradford switches to No 8 with Chris Palesci returning at lock.

Andy Micklewright replaces injured winger Tom Bivens and Dave Richardson will be on the bench after his back problems.

Fly half Simon Moore and full back Neil Baggett switch positions with coach Dave Butcher explaining: "We are hoping someone with a bit more speed at fly half will allow the backs to come on quicker.

"We tried it for the last 20 minutes last week and can always switch back if it's not working."

Blaydon will have to wait until February 4 to play their home league match against chief promotion rivals Nuneaton because of tomorrow's Powergen National Trophy sixth round tie at Nottingham.

Club secretary Jim Huxley said: "We have won nine successive games and the mood in the club could not be more upbeat.

"We will have around 150 fans at the game, including a couple who are flying in from Northern Ireland, and our ladies team are stopping off en route to their match at Plymouth on Sunday."

* Newcastle's Mathew Tait has been named in a 12-man England squad for the IRB Sevens tournaments in Dubai and George, South Africa. They depart on Sunday and the first match in Dubai is next Thursday