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Teams

• Northampton

Players

• Sean Lamont
• Tom Smith

Northampton Saints could be set for an extremely testing Boxing Day, as they attempt to patch up their squad for the visit to league leaders Sale Sharks.

Prop Tom Smith and wing Sean Lamont are the latest in a long line of Saints players to be struck down by injury, and coach Budge Pountney faces an anxious Christmas period waiting on the fitness reports of his key men.

Smith suffered muscle bruising and Lamont sprained his ankle during the European Challenge Cup win over Narbonne, which sees them added to the club doctor's lengthy treatment list that already includes Carlos Spencer, David Quinlan, Rhodri Davies Seamus Mallon and Steve Thompson.

Those five are all expected to miss the festive trip to Edgeley Park, which is to be shown live on Sky Sports.

The latest injuries to Smith and Lamont will only increase the difficulty of what already promises to be a mammoth task against the Sharks, and the club will give both players every chance to prove their fitness ahead of the clash.