George Kruis' injury does not look serious - Mark McCall

Saracens rugby director Mark McCall believes lock George Kruis will recover in time from his latest ankle injury that he sustained during the Aviva Premiership season opener against Northampton Saints at Twickenham Stadium.

The 27-year-old lasted just 14 minutes in the encounter before he was replaced by Nick Isiekwe but McCall reckons the injury does not look as serious as it was at one stage and is backing the England international to be fit in time ahead of the November Tests.

Despite, battling a series of ankle injuries last season, Kruis managed to overcome it and secured a spot in the British and Irish Lions' squad in the recently concluded New Zealand tour.

"George has had a scan and he's going to see a consultant at the end of the week, but it doesn't look all that serious," said Saracens rugby director Mark McCall, expecting Kruis to avoid surgery in his latest recovery.

"It's been described to me as a 'bad yank' to the ankle.

"It doesn't look like it's going to be overly serious.

"So that's hopefully good news, but we'll know more after he sees the consultant. It's going to be weeks rather than anything more.

"It's a completely different ankle injury, unrelated to the previous one.

"The good news is it's very early in the season, so he'll be back in time to play some big games for us, before the autumn internationals."

Saracens' latest signings, Will Skelton and Calum Clark missed the opening game against Northampton due to injuries and are likely to sit out again in their next game against Bath as well.

Lions duo Kruis and Maro Itoje featured in the game last weekend while Billy Vunipola is recovering from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the Lions' tour of New Zealand.

"Our Lions are chomping at the bit I'd say," said McCall.

"We'll probably bring a few more back in one way or another this weekend, and maybe a couple will play the weekend after.

"Billy (Vunipola) is probably touch-and-go for this weekend, and hopefully the weekend after, which is ahead of schedule. It's probably not going to happen this weekend.

"Will Skelton trained today but he's unlikely to be involved this weekend.

"And Calum Clark has a pulled calf, the last week of pre-season, after an unbelievable pre-season.

"That's frustrating for him but it's a very minor calf injury, and he'll be back soon. He's made a real impression since he's been here."

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