Northampton Saints: Hooker worry for Mallinder
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SAINTS boss Jim Mallinder is facing a hooker injury crisis as he looks to rebuild his side for Saturday’s crucial LV= Cup tie against Wasps.
Saints not only conceded five tries for the second game in a row to lose 46-14 at Bath, but saw Brett Sharman limp out of action.
With Dylan Hartley on England duty and Mike Haywood already out with a dislocated shoulder, Saints have just one fit hooker in Andy Long.
Birmingham & Solihull hooker Ross McMillan has been on trial this season and played for the Wanderers, but it leaves Saints dangerously thin and sweating on the extent of Sharman’s injury.
The South African was helped off the field after 60 minutes with what looked like a knee injury against Bath and Mallinder admitted it doesn’t look good.
“We are getting Brett checked out,” said Mallinder. “He had to be helped off so it doesn’t look the best. Andy Long went down with a twisted knee at one point, sometimes things like that happen.”
Long recovered to finish the game and Saints will need him at the weekend against Wasps as Mallinder’s men need a victory to reach the semi-finals of the LV= Cup as pool winners.
Mallinder confirmed McMillan is available if needed and revealed Haywood is not far away from returning to full fitness after dislocating his shoulder against Scarlets two weeks ago. But he looks unlikely to be ready to take on Wasps.
“Mike will hopefully be back in the next couple of weeks,” said Mallinder.
It was unfortunate for Sharman who had played his part in the one positive aspect of Saints’ performance at The Rec, another dominant scrum display despite Soane Tonga’uiha and Brian Mujati being on the bench.
And despite the defeat, Mallinder felt Sharman and others put in good displays.
“The front row did really well,” said Mallinder. “There were none of our starting front row in there, so they did well.
“Sharman has not played in a long time, but he scrummaged well and carried well. Christian Day has just come back from injury, he has not had much game time and he did well. In the back row James Craig worked really hard, there were some encouraging signs.”
Meanwhile, Saints’ interest in Luke Narraway appears to be cooling after his call-up to the England squad.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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