Northampton and England flanker Tom Wood is expected to be fit for the start of the new season.

Saints head coach Jim Mallinder said Wood should be ready for the opening fixture against Gloucester but fellow international Courtney Lawes is not expected to return until October.

"They're both making massive progress," said Mallinder. "I'd like to think that [for the Gloucester match], Tom will be 100% fit.

"It was massively unfortunate regarding Courtney. He was coming good with his shin problem and getting back to full fitness. He had a little accident [while] wrestling and dislocated his elbow.

"He probably won't make the beginning of the season but we'd expect him to be back by late September or early October."

Wood was lined up to captain England in the Six Nations before being hit by injury.