Saints left ruing spate of concussions

Kieran Brookes was withdrawn during the first half after colliding with Ashley Johnson's knee (pictures: Sharon Lucey)

The club were hit with two more injury blows on Sunday as Kieran Brookes and Lee Dickson both took blows to the head before being withdrawn during the 28-6 defeat at Wasps.

Both players will be hugely doubtful for Saturday’s Champions Cup clash with Saracens, a game which Dylan Hartley could also miss.

Hartley sustained concussion in England’s final Six Nations game, against France, and has not played for Saints since.

Lee Dickson was forced off just eight minutes after his introduction as a replacement

Luther Burrell was another man missing the game at Wasps because of a blow to the head, sustained in the win against Harlequins a week earlier.

And Saints boss Mallinder said: “I can’t remember a period where we’ve had so many concussions, but I guess that’s what happens.

“You get injuries and sometimes you get them in certain positions so we’ll have to battle on.”

On Brookes and Dickson, he said: “Clearly they’ve both taken knocks to the head so we’ll have to see and we’ll have to go through the protocols and hopefully they won’t have any (concussion) symptoms.

Sam Dickinson soldiered on before being taken off at the break

“It’s one of those things isn’t it? It’s happened to us a lot around this period of time, but we’ve got good medics who’ll look after them and that’s all they can do.

“We can’t rush them back if they’re not fit. Hopefully, it’s not too bad and they’ll be back soon.”

Sam Dickinson was another man who was taken off with an injury at Wasps.

The big No.8 was replaced at half-time, with Jon Fisher entering the action.

“Sam Dickinson twisted his knee so he went off,” Mallinder said.

“We got a few knocks and bruises in there, but that’s the game.

“We need to look after ourselves over the next few days and plan for Saracens.”