Clark in contention for Saints’ trip to Worcester, but Lawes misses out

Jim Mallinder says Calum Clark is in contention to play for Saints in the Aviva Premiership opener at Worcester on Friday night.
Calum Clark was forced off during the first half of Saints' pre-season win against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)Calum Clark was forced off during the first half of Saints' pre-season win against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)
Calum Clark was forced off during the first half of Saints' pre-season win against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

But England lock Courtney Lawes will not be available as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained during World Cup duty.

Clark suffered a shoulder injury in the pre-season win at Wasps on October 4, but is progressing well.

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Lawes, whose last game was for England against Wales at Twickenham on September 26, is also on the recovery trail, but is not quite ready to return to action yet.

He has returned to Franklin’s Gardens following the conclusion of his country’s World Cup campaign, but is yet to take part in full training.

“Courtney’s doing well, he’s improving,” Mallinder said.

“He’s not trained with us yet, he’s been having some treatment so he’s just recovering from this knee injury he picked up a couple of weeks ago.

“He’s in good spirits and he’ll be fit to play very, very soon.

And on Clark, the director of rugby said: “Calum is doing well.

“He’s making good progress so he’s there or thereabouts for this weekend.”