Dowson delivers Saints injury latest ahead of clash with Newcastle

Mitchell was forced off during England's defeat to Ireland on February 21 and Coles had to come off in the loss to France last Saturday.

Saints are now preparing to return to Gallagher PREM action at home to Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

And ahead of that game, Dowson was asked for an update on Coles and Mitchell.

On Coles, he said: "We're waiting for specialist opinion on Colesy.

"He's obviously got an ankle issue and we've had some scans done but they need to be read by somebody who knows what they're talking about and unfortunately my doctor work is not as good.

"I think it will be a decent period of time from what I gather."

Discussing scrum-half Mitchell, Dowson said: "Mitch came off in the Ireland game and he's weeks away as opposed to a week away.

"He'll be a considerable amount of time, I think."

Dowson added: "I'd say conservatively a month for Colesy and probably about that for Mitch.

"It's not ideal but it's the nature of the beast.

"It's why we have a big squad and we work so hard in the PRC (PREM Rugby Cup) to make sure players are ready to go in the PREM.

"It's one of those things that happen in rugby - people get injured.

"We've got to deal with it and move on."

Saints have already lost Edoardo Todaro for the rest of the season due to a knee injury picked up during Italy's preparations for the Six Nations.

Their fourth Six Nations injury issue came in the form of tighthead prop Elliot Millar Mills, who returned to Saints before the end of the tournament due to a groin problem.

"He's on a day by day so we're hoping we can turn him around quick enough," Dowson said.

George Hendy had to be helped off the field during Saints' PREM Rugby Cup semi-final defeat at Exeter Chiefs earlier this month.

And when asked about when Hendy could be back, Dowson said: "He's way off."

Hendy did take to Instagram earlier this week to suggest he will be back before the end of the season.

Hendy posted: "2026 off to a flyer. My turn to watch the boys go for a few weeks but we'll be back to finish the season strong #upanddownthecreek."

Josh Kemeny had to come off at Exeter after failing a head injury assessment.

"We are hopeful either this week or next week for (a return for) Josh," Dowson said.

Wing Ollie Sleightholme missed Saints' trip to Exeter Chiefs through injury, but Dowson said: "He's back training."

Back row forward Sam Graham has also been on the 'not considered for selection list' of late.

"He won't be available for the next couple of weeks," Dowson said.

With the Six Nations now over, Saints look set to give some of their available England stars the chance to rest and reset this week.

"I've spoken to all of them and chatted to them throughout that period," Dowson said.

"I try not to annoy them but I also try to make sure they don't feel forgotten about so I try to strike that balance.

"They are exhausted because even when it's going incredibly well, it's tiring.

"There are guys in there who haven't played, like Manny Iyogun and latterly Fraser Dingwall so they've been frustrated.

"Trevor Davison would have obviously have wanted to play more, Henry (Pollock) starts and then he goes to the bench so all of these things have emotional baggage to them and that takes energy.

"We have to make sure we look after them on a case by case basis and get them refreshed and ready to go again for us.

"We have to have empathy with them but also understand we need to get them back playing and all of that is something we speak about as a coaching group.

"If you've played in every game or been involved in every game i.e. sat on the bench, you have to rest for one game in the next three," Dowson said.

"It's done on a case by case. I wouldn't say we have a policy as such.

"It's based on what does Fin Smith need, where's Henry Pollock from a physical point of view, does Dingers need a game given he hasn't played for four weeks and that means he misses next week so we try to do it on a case by case basis.”