Wilson fit for Saints’ trip to Newport

HE'S BACK - James Wilson could make his return from injury in Saints' game at Newport (Picture: Linda Dawson)

The utility back has been out since injuring his calf in the warm-up before the Heineken Cup defeat to Leinster at Franklin’s Gardens on December 7.

But Wilson, who has scored three tries in 11 appearances this season, returned to training recently and is now ready to make his comeback if selected this weekend.

“James Wilson is available,” said Saints boss Mallinder, who is missing 15 first-team players through injury and international call-ups for this weekend’s trip to Rodney Parade. “He’s been training really hard.

“It was really disappointing to lose him before that Leinster home game in the warm-up but he’s got himself right and he’s very, very keen and ready for some game time.”

Jamie Elliott is also fit to return for Saints after a hamstring injury ruled him out of last Friday’s win against Castres.

More good news for Saints comes in the form of flanker Ben Nutley, who is available again after recovering from an elbow injury.

And Mallinder is also positive about Tom Collins’ progress, with the young back having been out since injuring his shoulder in the first half of the Heineken Cup clash with Ospreys on January 12.

“Ben Nutley is back to fitness,” said the director of rugby. “He’s been out with an elbow injury, but he’s fully fit and he’s trained all this week.

“Tommy Collins took a bit of a knock to his shoulder, but he’s improving. This week’s a bit too early for him, but I’d like to see him back in the next couple of weeks.”

But there is not such good news on locks Alex Woolford and James Craig, who would have hoped to get some game time this weekend.

“It’s a bit disappointing that there’s a few people injured,” said Mallinder. “Woolford, for example, has been playing really well for Moseley and for our A team. He’s got a knock so he won’t available. “It’s a little bit frustrating to have him and the likes of James Craig still out, because these are the types of games that you want those playing.

“But we’ve got lots of players and lots of great opportunities.”