Northampton Saints v London Welsh
West expects Foden and Hartley return
ESPN Staff
November 24, 2012
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Northampton's Ben Foden evades Scott Hamilton, Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers, Aviva Premiership, Franklin's Gardens, Northampton, England, April 14, 2012
Foden has been out of action since mid-October following ankle surgery © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Ben Foden | Dylan Hartley
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Northampton forward coach Dorian West is hopeful that England internationals Ben Foden and Dylan Hartley will be in contention for a starting role when the Saints travel to Sale next Friday.

Hartley has missed the autumn Tests with a knee injury, while Foden has been on the side-lines since October 14 after he underwent surgery on a severely injured ankle.

"We are pretty hopeful that Dylan, Ben Foden and George Pisi will be available next week," West said. "We need to be at our best next week at Sale."

Courtney Lawes meanwhile is slowly returning to form and made his return to first team action in Northampton's 23-16 win over London Welsh. The second-row came off after 59 minutes, but West believes he could be available if England require him for the Test with New Zealand next Saturday.

"Courtney gave us a lot of different options," West said. "He is somebody you like to have in your team and I am sure the opposition see his name on the team-sheet and it gives them a bit of a worry. He was slightly rusty, but we will train hard this week and see where he is."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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