Wilko backing Johnson

Jonny Wilkinson has given his full support to Martin Johnson while also refusing to rule out a return to action during the Six Nations.

The England first five-eighth has suffered a string of serious injuries since his winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final, the latest being a dislocated knee he sustained at the end of September.

The 29-year-old has been out since and will shortly undergo surgery to assess his recovery.

When asked if he could return for the Six Nations, Wilkinson said: "I'm not sure."

"At the moment I'm still waiting to get on my feet, properly move around [which] should be around January time and after that I'd like to think I could come back."

"I hope so, I'm always positive."

England has endured a miserable period under new manager Martin Johnson which has seen it lose heavily to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Johnson and the team have come in for a great deal of criticism but Wilkinson has total faith in his former team-mate.

He added on BBC Radio Five Live: "I believe he will be [successful]."

"I don't say that as helping out someone I know, I genuinely believe it."

"To think someone is going to achieve straight away without going through a period of learning and adjustment is ridiculous."

"Jonno is such a clever, astute guy that he will pick up on that learning very quickly."

"I trust the system, I trust Martin Johnson, I trust the coaches and the players."