Fly-half Jonny Wlkinson is unlikely to to play for Newcastle in time to be considered for a Lions place.
Newcastle comeback not currently on the cards for fly-half
There are strong doubts over whether Jonny Wilkinson will be fully-fit in time for this summer's British and Irish Lions tour after failing to make a comeback for Newcastle.
Wilkinson dislocated his knee last September and was unable to return in the Falcons' 32-13 European Challenge Cup defeat to Saracens.
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates does not expect him to appear in either of the club's final two Guinness Premiership games this season.
"We're still working hard to try and rehabilitate that knee and make sure that things are progressing but time is running out for him to get back on the field," he said.
"We haven't been able to get him back to do a full week's training and that has to be the bare minimum before we think about putting him on the field.
Physical
"The difficulty is this Lions trip is going to be really hard and physical. If you are not absolutely on your game you are going to get exposed in South Africa.
"We've got two more games this season and there's no guarantee he will play in either.
"If I was the Lions coach I'd be very concerned about that lack of rugby. He's a class player and you've got to take that into consideration but the poor guy hasn't played since September.
It was Saracens fly-half Glen Jackson, and not Wilkinson, who played a starring role in the European tie at Vicarage Road.
Outstanding
Sarries head coach Richard Graham revealed that a break in the sun was the secret behind Jackson's commanding performance. The fly-half kicked 22 points to see his side through to the semi-finals.
"He was outstanding," Graham said.
"We sent him to Portugal last week. He's played a lot of rugby, I think the most games of any player in the Premiership this year and he came back with a tan, a big smile on his face and looks a new man.
"We knew going into the game if he played well we'd have a real shout of winning it.
"In the first half in particular we did very well in the areas of the game we targeted. We stuck to our guns and at half-time we had built a score and dominated."
