Lewis Ludlam: Northampton wait to discover how long injured captain will be out

Lewis Ludlam was helped off in the first half of Northampton's win over Harlequins

Northampton Saints are still waiting to discover the full extent of an injury suffered by captain Lewis Ludlam.

The England flanker, 27, injured his lower leg in the first half of Saturday's 36-33 win over Harlequins.

Winger James Ramm suffered a knee injury in the same game and director of rugby Phil Dowson said he was unlikely to be back in the "short term".

On Ludlam, Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton: "Lewis is not quite so bad, we're just waiting on timelines."

It was Ludlam's third appearance since returning from the World Cup in France where England finished third.

Ludlam scored one of Northampton's tries in the first half before having to go off.

"It doesn't look amazing. I think it's his ankle, certainly lower limb, I don't actually know what they've found," Dowson said following the game.

"He's in a protective boot and he'll get scanned as quickly as possible, so hopefully we can turn him around."

Ludlam has played 120 games for Saints since his debut in 2016, but has been linked with a move to French club Toulon for next season.

"We're desperate to keep him. I've seen the reports and it's no surprise to me that Lewis is a very sought after man. We are trying to put an offer together that is compelling and we'll try and keep him here as our captain," Dowson added.

Ramm, 25, has scored 11 tries in 24 games since arriving from New South Wales Waratahs ahead of last season.

"James has quite a serious knee injury. He's seeing a surgeon," Dowson added. "Hopefully he gets sorted out as quickly as possible but it's not looking brilliant in the short term."