Dowson delivers Saints' injury latest before return to league action at Bristol Bears

Both players were forced off with concussion in the 34-22 PREM Rugby Cup defeat at Leicester Tigers last Friday.

"They're going through the HIA (head injury assessment return-to-play) process so they won't be available this week," confirmed Saints boss Phil Dowson.

Archie McParland had to withdraw from the game at Leicester after initially being selected to start at scrum-half.

Jonny Weimann came in to replace him, with Alex Mitchell having been on England duty and Tom James nursing a back injury.

"Hopefully Archie will be fine," Dowson said.

"Jonny Weimann has been excellent across the board. He's a tenacious character and he's getting better every week with his skillset. We've got high hopes for Jonny."

When asked for an update on James, Dowson said: "He's okay. He's just struggling with his back a little bit so we're just trying to get him into full training."

Saints were unable to call upon Anthony Belleau against Leicester after he was forced off just before the break in the defeat to Newcastle Red Bulls on the previous weekend.

"He had a slight hamstring strain but it wasn't too much of an issue so we're working him back into full training," Dowson said.

James Ramm is another man who has been on the sidelines of late.

But Dowson said: "He's training."

Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall both suffered injuries on England duty during the Quilter Nations Series.

"Fraser has an oblique strain," Dowson said.

"They (England) were trying to get him fit for the Argentina game but they didn't want to risk him so he's not far away, but he obviously wasn't fit enough to play against Argentina.

"Tommy is slightly more long term with a hamstring strain. I'm always reluctant to give timeframes."

Tom Lockett picked up an injury while playing for England A, so he continues to recover from that.

But Manny Iyogun and Tom Pearson, who also featured for England A this autumn, were pictured in training on Monday.

Fin Smith and Edoardo Todaro was also pictured after returning from England and Italy duty respectively.

Smith was not selected for England's final two matches of the autumn, while Todaro came off the bench on Sunday to make his senior debut for Italy against Chile.

"Obviously it was disappointing for Fin on the whole," Dowson said. "He's disappointed he hasn't played more.

"George Ford has been excellent and England have been playing very well so Fin hasn't had as much opportunity as he would have liked, but he's come back in clearly with a point to prove and had huge energy coming straight back in.

"Edo, getting his first cap, is obviously on cloud nine and looking forward to getting back into it."

Saints have been able to field George Furbank and Ollie Sleightholme during the past two weeks as they have made their first appearances of the season after overcoming calf and hamstring injuries respectively.

"They're quality players," Dowson said.

"It's been a torrid 12 months for George but it’s great for him to come back in with the way he plays.

"We've been talking after training today about how well George trains, what a good player he is and how he brings out the best in the players around him.

"It's great to have him back, and Ollie as well.

"Ollie hadn't played for a long time and he showed against Leicester a couple of moments of what he's capable of with his athleticism."

When asked what kind of shape he feels Saints are in ahead of their return to league action following back-to-back cup defeats, Dowson said: "We've got some injuries in certain positions but generally I think we've got a very strong squad of players.

"We've got some guys who have had some time off, who have had some experience with England A and are looking forward to getting back and stuck in."

Curtis Langdon remains out for Saints, while they must rest Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and Alex Mitchell in one of the next three matches following their efforts for England during the Quilter Nations Series.