Saints skipper Hartley to be fit for start of season

Hartley missed England's summer tour of Australia and New Zealand to have an operation on his knee and Saints had feared he might not make the start of the upcoming campaign.

England will give Hartley a medical review at next week's Elite Player Squad training camp at Twickenham.

Ireland V England Hospitality

"Dylan will be okay," said Mallinder. "He has been running around in training and he will be fine for the start of the season. The knee has not been a problem and looking at it from my practical eye he is getting there. "

Saints' sevens squad play in the JP Asset Management Premiership Sevens finals tonight, but the serious pre-season programme starts next Friday with a trip to Bedford Blues.

And Mallinder is expecting Hartley to play a part in Saints' pre-season friendlies, ear-marking the following week's trip to Capbreton in France to take on Pro D2 side US Dax.

England V Ireland Hospitality

The Saints director of rugby added: "He has got an EPS week next week, so he is away with England - I'm not quite sure what he will do there.
"And then he will be coming away to play Dax with us with the aim of him playing in France."

Mallinder confirmed prop Euan Murray is fit and raring to go for the start of the season after missing the Scotland tour of Argentina because of ankle problems.

And after suffering a worrying neck injury in the Heineken Cup clash with Munster last season, Mallinder says Christian Day has made a full recovery.

"Euan Murray is fine now as well and training well. He is looking sharp.
"We have had a few little minor pulls and things from excessive pre-season training, but nothing to worry about."