Dowson delivers Saints injury latest ahead of Vodacom Bulls clash

But the black, green and gold will be cautious with the wing in his recovery from what Dowson recently described as an 'ankle knock'.

Sleightholme missed the start of the season due to a hamstring problem but he was able to return to action for cup clashes with Newcastle Red Bulls and Leicester Tigers.

He then missed the games at Bristol Bears and Section Paloise due to the ankle problem.

Saints could really do with Sleightholme being available this weekend as they have lost a slew of wings to a combination of injury and suspension.

Edoardo Todaro will serve the second game of his two-week ban this weekend, while James Ramm will miss the next two matches due to a ban of his own.

Tommy Freeman and Tom Litchfield are set to remain sidelined with hamstring problems.

And at Wednesday's media session, Dowson was asked about the current wing situation at Saints.

"Injuries and bans, which is far from ideal, but we'll lean on the squad and put the next man in," the Saints boss said. "We'll trust the training he's been doing throughout pre-season, and the game time they've all had thus far will stand them in good stead."

When asked for an update on Sleightholme, Dowson said: "He's coming back into training.

"With Ollie, we're always slightly conservative so we're just trying to manage him and make sure he's okay."

Discussing Freeman, Dowson said: “He’s alright. He’s started to move around a bit.

"He’s bored, he’s frustrated, he’s tried to organise a social for this weekend without telling anyone.

"He’s coming back into it, but he won’t be available this week.

"We’ll just wait and see how he moves around the back end of this week, but he’s got his boots back on, which is great to see.”

Will Glister is another wing to have been hit by injury.

"His luck has been particularly poor because while playing for Cambridge he picked up a very bad hamstring injury that needed an operation so he's going to be out for a prolonged period of time," Dowson explained.

There was some good news on the injury front when the team was named for last Sunday's game at Section Paloise as Chunya Munga or Anthony Belleau had been removed from the 'not considered for selection list'.

Tom Lockett was still on it at that point, but when asked about the lock this week, Dowson simply said: "He's okay."

Emeka Atuanya, Curtis Langdon, Charlie Ulcoq and Tom West are set to remain unavailable this weekend.