Jonny Wilkinson's hopes of a return from groin surgery appear to have been dashed for another week.

The England World Cup winner is back in training with his club Newcastle, but has not made the Falcons 22 for their European Challenge Cup clash against Borders at Kingston Park on Sunday.

''Jonny has trained this week and he is getting there,'' said Newcastle rugby director Rob Andrew.

''But the more I say on the subject, the less chance he seems to have of playing. So this week, I will just keep my mouth shut and let him get on with it.''

Fly-half Wilkinson has not played since mid-November, while his last England appearance came in the 2003 World Cup final.

His replacement Dave Walder believes lessons have been learned from his side's last game against Borders.

It was back in October that the Falcons recorded a 26-11 triumph at Netherdale, but Walder admitted: "They caught us on the hop a bit with the way they attacked, and we know we were perhaps a bit fortunate to have come away with the win.

"I got on briefly for a blood bin that day, and from memory the scoreline probably flattered us a bit as I thought they dominated us up front for much of the game.

"It was a tough battle, but then that's what you'd expect from a side whose pack is coached by George Graham and then a lot of our lads also worked with Steve Bates, who is never scared to try a few things in the backs which can hurt you at times."

Having been pulled out of the side late last weekend ahead of Sunday's defeat at champions London Wasps following a high tackle from Worcester's Aisea Havili the week before, Walder said: "I think I would have enjoyed last weekend with the way we wanted to play the game.

"It might have suited my style with a bit more kicking from hand and territory, so it was disappointing to miss out and frustrating to watch it.

"I took a bang in the head from a Worcester player when I scored a try late in the game on New Year's Day.

"The guy was desperately trying to stop me score, and in the process caught me in the head, more reckless than malicious.

"I didn't get up for a few minutes after the try, but in fairness that was probably just because I was shattered after running 80 metres!''

Now playing behind a Falcons pack undergoing a recent resurgence, Walder said: "The forwards have really stepped their game up, and our set piece is pretty solid now.

"We're competing with every side in the scrum and turning a fair bit of opposition ball over, so as a fly half the game is much easier when you're going forward."