Another Six Nations injury concern for Saints after England's defeat to France
Saints have been hit by another potential Guinness Six Nations injury issue after Alex Coles was forced off during England's agonising 48-46 defeat to France in Paris on Saturday night.
Coles, who had earlier got on the scoresheet, was producing another big second-row showing as he scored in the encounter at Stade de France.
But he had to be helped off the field in the 54th minute, unable to put any weight on his right leg due to what appeared to be an ankle issue.
England went on to suffer late heartache as Thomas Ramos notched a penalty with the final kick of the match to hand France a dramatic win and the Six Nations title.
Three Saints players had already been forced to depart the Six Nations, with Edoardo Todaro, Alex Mitchell and Elliot Millar Mills picking up injuries.
Todaro is out for the rest of the season after having knee surgery, while Mitchell suffered a hamstring problem and Millar Mills was hit by a groin issue.
The severity of Mitchell and Millar Mills' injuries are as yet unknown, as is the one suffered by Coles on Saturday night.
The Six Nations is now over, with Saints preparing to return to Gallagher PREM action at home to Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday (March 21).
Phil Dowson's men are currently top of the table and also have an Investec Champions Cup round of 16 game against Castres at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens to look forward to on Friday, April 3.
Saints had this weekend off as they were beaten in the PREM Rugby Cup semi-final at Exeter Chiefs last Sunday.
They picked up a key injury in that match as George Hendy had to be helped from the field during the first half.
Saints were already without Emeka Atuanya, Will Glister, Sam Graham, Henry Lumley, Ollie Sleightholme, Mitchell and Todaro prior to that trip to Sandy Park.
Now they will have to assess all of the walking wounded and see who can be available for the clash with Newcastle.
Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, Henry Pollock and Trevor Davison, like Coles, played a part against France last Saturday, and will now return to Saints.
Manny Iyogun, Fraser Dingwall and George Furbank have been in England's Six Nations squad but they did not feature in Paris.
Danilo Fischetti started for Italy in their defeat to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, but Rory Hutchinson was not involved for Scotland in their loss to Ireland in Dublin.