Northampton have not ruled out a return for England winger Chris Ashton against Harlequins next Friday.
England winger still part of Saints' immediate plans
Northampton have not ruled out a return for England winger Chris Ashton against Harlequins next Friday.
Ashton missed the 32-14 win over Newcastle at Kingston Park because of suspension, but his four-week ban ends in time for him to play against the Premiership pace-setters.
Ashton has so far refused to sign a new contract at Saints, but director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: "Chris Ashton is still part of our squad and we've not washed our hands of him. He is still part of our squad and he's not signed for anybody else as far as I know.
"We have a great group of lads and you just want players who want to play for you and it's as simple as that. You can't have superstars in your team, you just want players who want to play for you and that's what we want at Saints.
"Of course we will consider Chris for Friday night. Will we pick him? Maybe. He's not out of the equation. He's a quality winger and he still plays for us and we pay his wages."
Pleased
Of Saints' comprehensive victory in the North East, Mallinder added: "We're pleased with the win. It's about winning but you always want that extra point and we didn't get it last week. We got to three tries and didn't make it and that was frustrating.
"You have to keep playing to get that bonus point and it was pleasing to do that and to finish off like that, and for the subs to come on and make an impact like they did was very pleasing."
Newcastle head coach Alan Tait conceded his side had been handed a lesson by Northampton.
"It was still to play for early in the second half, but you don't mind putting your hand up and admitting you've been beaten by a better team," he said.
