Heineken Cup
Goode's return from concussion delights McCall
ESPN Staff
April 22, 2014
Ulster's Jared Payne catches Alex Goode in the air, Ulster v Saracens, Heineken Cup, Ravenhill, Belfast, April 5, 2014
Alex Goode is upended by Ulster's Jared Payne © Getty Images
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Mark McCall is looking forward to unleashing the "stand-out" Alex Goode on Heineken Cup rivals Clermont Auvergne this weekend after the Saracens full-back made a successful return from concussion on Sunday.

Goode's appearance in Sunday's 23-18 victory over Newcastle was his first for Saracens since he was knocked unconscious by a Jared Payne challenge against Ulster a fortnight ago.

Payne was sent off after tackling Goode in mid-air during their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash at Ravenhill. Goode was knocked out cold and left the field with his neck in a brace.

But Saracens director of rugby McCall hailed Goode's comeback performance as "electric" and said he plans to use him against Clermont on Saturday.

"I thought in the first half Alex was the stand-out player on the pitch," said McCall. "I thought he was magnificent and at times he was electric, on the ball he made great decisions and it was great to get him back on the park with the Clermont game just a week away."

McCall praised the team effort to overcome a spirited Newcastle side who are still looking over their shoulders at Worcester in the Aviva Premiership's relegation spot.

"Everyone came through well," said McCall. "It was Alistair Hargreaves' first game for two and a half months, and we made him play eighty minutes which he wasn't expecting, but he did a great job. Will Fraser also went well - again he is recently back from injury, so we've got some reinforcements coming back at just the right time."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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