The new agreement between clubs and the RFU could see players who are selected for England Elite Player Squad away from their clubs for 14 weeks during the season.
At the moment Saints have just Dylan Hartley in the squad, but with the autumn internationals involving all the home unions and the Six Nations in the new year, Mallinder says he has to take into account a player's likelihood of being called up when deliberating over a new signing.
Mallinder, who hasn't ruled out making more signings ahead of the start of the Premiership season on September 6, said: "You have to be careful you don't get too many internationals, because of the new agreement you won't see those for a number of games.
"Certainly we want our players to do well for Northampton and therefore have the opportunity to go on to play international rugby, but it is about getting that balance right."
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