North set to return, but Lawes may miss Saints’ clash with Saracens

North returned from World Cup duty with a hamstring injury and has yet to play for his club this season.

But the Wales wing, who helped his country reach the quarter-finals of the international tournament, is on the recovery trail.

And Mallinder said: “George came back to us with a hamstring injury after playing for Wales, but I think he will be fit for this week.”

However, Saints are set to be without England lock Courtney Lawes, who limped off in Sunday’s 20-13 defeat at Sale Sharks.

Lawes left the AJ Bell Stadium wearing a knee brace on his right leg and is now a major doubt for this weekend’s game.

“He’s gone and got a knock to his other knee, it wasn’t the one that was strapped up,” Mallinder said.

“Hopefully it’s not too bad.”

Calum Clark trained last week and could come into contention for the game against Saracens, but James Wilson (arm) remains sidelined.