The 26-year-old Scotland international has been out of action for eight months after suffering severe knee ligament damage, which needed re-constructive surgery.

Lamont played just three games in Saints' inexorable march through National League One, but director of rugby Jim Mallinder will be desperate for his experience as the club prepare for their re-entry into the Guinness Premiership.

Lamont, who flew to USA to work with a top knee specialist, has won 35 caps for Scotland, was his nation's player of the season in 2006/07, and with 12 Premiership tries to his name Mallinder was pleased to report that the powerful winger's rehabilitation is well on schedule.

Mallinder said: "Sean is doing really well in his recovery, he is working hard. He has been putting on a lot of strength on the knee and doing a lot of work and he is now running on it.

"We expect Sean to be available for the pre-season games."