Foden picked up the man of the match honour in Saturday's victory over Leicester at Franklin's Gardens © Getty Images

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Northampton flyer Ben Foden has been tipped for a promotion to England's senior squad after a dazzling display in his side's Guinness Premiership victory over Leicester Tigers.

The versatile Foden, who began the game at fullback and finished at scrum-half, followed up a stunning display against Bristol last week with a man-of-the-match display as the Saints preserved their unbeaten home record with a 17-13 victory over their local rivals.

The 23-year-old scored one try and created another to serve a timely reminder to England manager Martin Johnson who names his revised England elite squads on Wednesday ahead of their assault on the Six Nations crown.

Johnson can make up to five changes based purely on form from the squad he announced last July, although other openings can be created through injuries, suspension or Test retirements. Foden was named in the second string England Saxons in the original elite squad announcement last July.

Saint boss Jim Mallinder heaped praise on the speedster following his match-winning contribution. "He (Foden) backed up last week's performance. It was a fantastic display, and then he has the ability to switch to scrum-half when Lee Dickson got a little bit of cramp near the end.

"He picks lines really well, he has got pace and he has got strength as well. He's got the ability to fend off that first tackler and stay on his feet, and also has a good kicking game.

"I don't know what he (Johnson) is looking at, but I think Ben has got to come into his consideration."

The Saints saw off the Tigers despite fly-half Stephen Myler suffering an off-day with the boot but Mallinder refused to single him out. "He has been fantastic for us - it's not an issue," said Mallinder. "He had a bad day at the office in terms of his kicking, but he played well otherwise and we came through it."

Wing Paul Diggin scored two first-half tries, and Mallinder saluted his contribution, adding: "He is only small, but he's got a big heart. We've got a bit of competition there on the wing, and he is keeping some key personnel out of the team. He is a local Northampton lad who went to the boys' school down the road, and what he's doing is fantastic."