Saints boss Mallinder hopeful key men will be fit for Falcons clash

Calum Clark was forced off during the first half of Saints' pre-season win against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Jim Mallinder is hoping for a sizeable boost on the injury front ahead of Saturday’s clash with Newcastle Falcons at stadium:mk.

Saints were without a number of players for the 13-12 Aviva Premiership opening-night defeat at Worcester Warriors last Friday.

Calum Clark was nursing a shoulder problem, while Courtney Lawes is still recovering from a knee injury sustained on England duty.

Tom Stephenson and Christian Day were forced off in the loss at Sixways, but Mallinder is hopeful that all four of those players will be fit to face the Falcons.

“He (Stephenson) has hurt his wrist and he couldn’t grip so we need to look at that,” Mallinder said.

“Christian Day got just a bit of a blow to his shoulder, a bit of a stinger.

“Hopefully there’s nothing major and they will all be in contention with a few more players for next week.”

James Wilson is out until late December with a wrist injury, while Tom Wood, who had played a big part in England’s World Cup campaign, was rested last weekend.

Wood will be expected to return for the match at Milton Keynes, but George North, whose Wales team were beaten in the World Cup quarter-final by South Africa on Saturday, could get a rest, meaning he would not return until the away game against Sale on November 1.