Dowson delivers Saints injury latest ahead of Bath clash

The talented flanker continues to recover from the hand injury that saw him miss last Saturday’s 41-26 defeat at Bristol Bears.

Saints boss Phil Dowson said: “He still won’t be available this week.”

Italy wing Malik Faissal, who joined Saints during the summer, took to social media last week to update supporters on his injury situation.

Faissal has had to have surgery and expects to be out for ‘a few months’.

Dowson said: “He’s okay but he’s obviously very disappointed that he’ll have an extended period of time out.”

Loosehead prop Lefty Zigiriadis, a summer signing from Ealing Trailfinders, is another who continues to be sidelined after he suffered an injury against Saracens in a PREM Rugby Cup clash at StoneX Stadium last month.

“It's hard for Lefty because he’s been injured and he’s desperate to play, desperate to get stuck in but he’s stuck in the physio room,” Dowson said.

"He’s disappointed but we’re trying to make sure he’s still learning the Saints way, regardless of whether he’s training or not.

"He’ll be fired up and it won’t be long before he’s back.”

Edoardo Todaro is closing in on a return after recovering from having knee surgery due to an injury picked up while preparing for the Guinness Six Nations with Italy back in February.

Dowson said: “He’s good, he’s not too far away.

"We’re just building him slowly back in because his knee injury was nasty and it takes time.

"He's been training, doing bits and pieces but it’s slowly, slowly at the moment with Edo.”

Trevor Davison continues to progress following his own knee surgery, with another tighthead prop, Luke Green, also having been on the long-term injured list.

Tom Litchfield looks set to remain sidelined due to an ankle issue, but George Hendy expects to be able to face Bath despite having to come off during the second half against Bristol last weekend due to a hip pointer injury.

Hendy was at Tuesday’s media day, and said: “I’m alright. I’m still managing it at the moment but should be all good for this weekend.”

As for Bath, there were plenty of updates from them on Tuesday.

Full-back Tom de Glanville is set to miss the trip to Saints with an Achilles issue, but Santiago Carreras has returned to full training after missing the 40-34 home win against Exeter Chiefs last weekend.

Bernard van der Linde (cut), centre Cam Redpath (HIA) and wing Joe Cokanasiga (foot and knee) all suffered minor knocks against Exeter but a Bath statement said 'all three are expected to resume training this week’.

Louie Hennessey (foot) has resumed training but Will Muir (shoulder) and Thompson Cowan (ACL) are out.

Somerset Live reports that skipper Ben Spencer has returned to training, having had shoulder surgery over the summer, but he has yet to be signed off for contact training.

Bath boss Johann van Graan said: "It is very good to see Ben Spencer back in training. He is on a week-by-week basis. He has still got to get through his contact.”