Wilkinson, who kicked the drop goal that gave England victory in last November's World Cup final against Australia, had the operation in February.

His slow recovery had cast doubts on whether he would be able to play rugby again.

"I didn't realise how close I was to not playing again," Wilkinson told the Times on Tuesday.

Wilkinson last played in December but the Falcons website said that the 25-year-old had been training for some time and had been given the all clear to take a full part in their pre-season.

The Times said that Wilkinson hoped to make his comeback on August 17 when Newcastle start their pre-season tour of Ireland with a match against Connacht.

"I'll begin contact work next week," Wilkinson said.

"If there was a game next week then I would have done my collision contact work already and I'd be able to take some hits."

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Wilkinson added that he did not think the surgery on his neck would affect his ability to tackle.

"I know I haven't got a bad neck any more and that's the first time I've been able to say that since I was 14."

England have lost five of their eight matches since Wilkinson was injured, including all three on their recent tour of Australia and New Zealand.