Northampton injuries mounting up ahead of Saracens showdown

Northampton will limp into Allianz Park for their Champions Cup quarter-final against Saracens after seeing a number of key players including Dylan Hartley ruled out.

Hartley was in contention to make his comeback from concussion but England's Grand Slam-winning captain, who began running this week, has failed to make the matchday 23.

Also missing due to head knocks sustained in Sunday's defeat at Wasps are prop Kieran Brookes and scrum-half Lee Dickson.

The return of Luther Burrell at inside centre from his spell out with concussion offers a slither of good news that is offset by the absence of flanker Tom Wood, wing George North and number eight Sam Dickinson.

Saracens, meanwhile, are close to full strength and have been lifted by the confirmation that Maro Itoje is fit to start after sustaining a knee injury against Bath.

Forwards coach Alex Sanderson insists Northampton will miss the influence of Hartley in the all-Premiership European showdown.

"We have lost our hooker Jamie George as well so all sides have to deal with injuries," Sanderson said.

"Hartley is huge for them, but Mike Heywood has been playing really well. Maybe not so much in his last game, but he was outstanding against Quins with some of his play around the field, his offloading and work over the ball.

"Northampton don't lose much around the field without Hartley, but as a leader and as an inspiration of course they miss him."