Boyd gives an update on Saints back Mallinder

Mallinder, who has made two appearances this season, both back in November, has been hugely unfortunate with injury issues in recent years.

However, he is currently training and could return to action in the not too distant future.

Boyd said: "I feel deeply for Harry.

"He's worked incredibly hard again and he's very close to being ready to play, he's just got to get through a constant period of training and effort and come out of it on the other side physically okay.

"He's a very influential person in our environment - a great guy to have in the environment.

"I'm very sure he's got a big contribution for us very soon."

Saints have seen their full-back depth hit in recent times, with Mallinder sidelined, Ahsee Tuala battling Covid-19 and George Furbank forced off with a head injury at Gloucester last weekend.

But Tuala is back on the bench for the trip to Wasps on Saturday and the news on Furbank is not too bad.

"It was very unfortunate for George," Boyd said.

"He's taken a fair old smack to that nose.

"Like everybody in the environment, we'll be very cautious with him and make sure his return to play protocol is not rushed.

"He's not symptomatic so that's a good sign.

"He's a highly talented footballer and he's on the road to recovery."

Furbank was replaced by youngster Tommy Freeman after just 32 minutes at KIngsholm last Saturday, but Freeman did a really impressive job.

And it was enough to earn the talented 19-year-old a start at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

"Tommy has got really good upside," Boyd said.

"You've got to get the balance right between letting those boys off the leash and holding them back to make sure they get a long career out of their trade.

"Tommy's time is very close to coming and he's physically capable of playing at that level and skill-wise there's no issue, as we saw last Saturday.

"There's an impudence in youth and he wasn't fazed about going out there and playing.

"The really good thing about having high potential youngsters is that they're very positive, they back themselves and Tommy is a good footballer.

"There's a conveyor belt of good youngsters in this country and it's about trying to bed them down and get the best out of them you can."

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