Northampton Saints coach Dorian West has revealed that George North is unlikely to be fit in time for this weekend's Aviva Premiership semi-final against Saracens.
North's health came under heavy scrutiny earlier this year after a string of concussions in quick succession, the last of which came during a game against Wasps on March 27.
The Welsh winger has not played since that date, and West insists that he is none the wiser as to whether North would be available should his side reach the final on May 30.
"I wouldn't have thought George would be available this weekend, no. He's on the return to play protocols so you don't really know where he is on that, he's with the medical people. They do different bits and bobs each day and he'll be right when he's right," he told reporters.
"I haven't got a clue whether he'd make the final, it's one of those things: he's available when he's available. There are certain protocols they have to follow, he has to be at certain stages in different parts of the week, so it will happen when it will happen.
"There's been plenty talked about George North I'm not really here to talk about that: he'll be right when he's right. It's been a while since he's played anyway so nothing changes for us from what we've done in the last month or so."
Should Northampton beat Saracens on Saturday then they would face either Bath or Leicester Tigers in the final at Twickenham.
