Saints boss Mallinder says hooker Williams is closing in on playing return

Williams impressed for Saints last season before sustaining the injury in a game against London Irish in April.

But the young hooker has been making good progress and is now back on his feet.

And Mallinder is looking forward to easing the player back into action in the A League before considering him for a return to first-team duties.

“Matt’s good,” said the Saints boss. “He’s running round now so he probably won’t be quite fit for the start of the new season, but he’ll be very close.

“He’ll probably have to play in a few A team games in September and then come back into the senior squad.”