Mallinder hoping Wood, Myler and Lawes will be fit for Bath showdown

Tom Wood and Stephen Myler missed Sunday’s 35-10 success at Newcastle Falcons with back and calf injuries respectively.

And Courtney Lawes was forced off early in the second half of the game at Kingston Park as he was nursing a shoulder knock.

But Mallinder is confident the injury victims will be available for this weekend’s home clash with a Bath side who went top of the table with a 45-0 thrashing of Leicester last Saturday.

“Courtney Lawes took a little bit of a blow to his shoulder in the first half and came out a little bit sore, so it was pointless risking him with big games around the corner,” revealed the Saints boss.

“Tom Wood was a late withdrawal with his bad back, and playing on the surface at Newcastle we didn’t want to take any chances.

“He picked up the injury against Gloucester in the first game of the season and it’s settling down so hopefully with a rest at the weekend he’ll be fine for Saturday.

“We’re certainly hoping Stephen will be back.

“It’s a calf strain and we’re hoping he’ll be able to take part in training and be available for Saturday.”