Best is raring to go - Mallinder

Best has only played three Premiership games for Saints

Northampton Saints back-row forward Neil Best is 'raring to go' according to his director of rugby Jim Mallinder.

The Ireland international has completed his 18-week ban for foul play and is set to feature against Harlequins on Saturday in the Guinness Premiership.

"It's been an awful long second pre-season for him," Mallinder told BBC Radio Northampton.

"He's been raring to go in training. He's quite excited about his first competitive game for a while."

Best was banned for making "reckless" contact around the eye area of Wasps' James Haskell in September.

"He's spent a lot of time in the gym, he's been out training with the boys every single session so he's been doing the rugby training it's just the match practice he's not been having," added Mallinder.

"Playing games is completely different. When he comes to play he'll find it difficult. Match fitness is a funny thing and you can only get it through playing games."

Harlequins v Northampton Saints is live on BBC Radio Northampton 104.2 and 103.6FM and online.