MONTPELLIER, France (AFP) - The Wallaby squad is dreading the increasing likelihood of injury preventing senior fly-half Stephen Larkham from helping them win the Rugby World Cup in France.

The injury-jinxed 33-year-old playmaker returned to the team hotel on crutches here Thursday to rejoin the squad for their flight to Bordeaux for Saturday's remaining group match against Canada.

Larkham was forced back into hospital late Monday after an infection was detected in the right knee after recent minor surgery which has prevented from playing in the Wallabies' last two wins over Wales and Fiji.

Long-time Wallaby team-mate Chris Latham lamented that injury might cruelly end 102-Test-capped Larkham's chances of playing out his farewell World Cup tournament before he takes up an expected European club contract.

"I saw Steve coming in this morning, looking a bit drained and tired as you would when you come out of hospital," Latham told reporters here Thursday.

"But hopefully, fingers crossed for the team's point of view and probably from a selfish point of view I hope he makes a pretty quick recovery and we can get him back playing some games.

"Not only is he a very important part of this squad, but I think on a personal note I would hate for his Australian rugby career to end as it might.

"It would be nice to see him come back, play some footy in the World Cup and get what he deserves and that is a farewell final, him playing in it and winning it and we can give just deserve to what has been a great career."

Latham, who fought back from a knee reconstruction last January and missed virtually all of Australia's Tests in the lead-up to the World Cup, said Larkham faced a major mental battle in the days ahead.

"He definitely knows how the squad feel about him. It's just a matter of leaving him be to what he needs to do to get himself right," Latham said.

"He's been in these situations before with injuries. Obviously, this one would be a major mental battle in the next couple of days and weeks. It's just a matter of him getting through it and hopefully he'll be with us."

Larkham's setback has offered the unexpected opportunity to exciting 21-year-old understudy Berrick Barnes to lead Australia's attack in the October 6 quarter-final against either England or Tonga in Marseille.

Forwards coach Michael Foley said a definitive assessment will known next week of Larkham's chances of playing again at the World Cup.

"We'll know more next week but there's very much a chance that he may not play in the tournament again," Foley said.

"He's one of the best number ten's in the world, certainly has been for the last decade, and it would be very sad for him.

"He's been picked in the team because he's a senior guy and everyone knows that the impact he can have on a game, but on the other hand Berrick has done exceptionally well.

"Barnes went out in a high pressure environment in the Welsh Test at the last minute and not having prepared with the team all week and I thought he did outstandingly well, so there's the upside of the situation as well.

"He's a real down-to-earth guy, he's a pretty composed fellow and a really strong character and I think he has a real desire to do well for the team.

"He's prepared to play the ball, he's a lovely passer and he doesn't have that experience so Steve is probably going to choose to do the right things more often than Berrick, but that's debatable given the circumstances.

"Berrick certainly has a very good kicking game, you've seen him kick some really good drop goals, even slightly off balance, in the couple of games he's played, so there are strengths to his game that Steve doesn't have."