Scrum-half Lee Dickson joined Saints from Newcastle Falcons last year

Northampton scrum-half Lee Dickson has paid tribute to the Franklin's Gardens crowd ahead of Saturday's Guinness Premiership visit of Sale Sharks.

Dickson, 24, experienced the hostile atmosphere of Perpignan as Saints lost there in the Heineken Cup last weekend.

But he said: "The crowd here are even louder. Basically they're our 16th man.

"Sometimes you try and block out the noise because obviously you're involved in the game," Dickson told BBC Radio Northampton.

"But it's easier said than done to block out the sound of 14,000 fans cheering you on.

"The fan base at Northampton is just great."

Saints, five points off top spot in fourth, return to Premiership action against ninth-placed Sale after a three-week break.

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