Lennie Newman hopes Saints locks can replace Kruger

Newman was Saints' team manager for nine years

Northampton Saints' ex-team manager Lennie Newman says the club's new locks must try to replace Juandre Kruger.

The South African, 24, rejoined Bulls at the end of the 2009/10 season, while Saints have signed Gloucester's Adam Eustace and Newcastle's Mark Sorenson.

"Kruger is big act to follow, he was a real lynchpin in the Saints' side," Newman told BBC Radio Northampton.

"I'm a bit concerned about the locks but Sorenson is good and could surprise people. Eustace could do well too."

Newman left the club last summer after 21 years as a player and team manager.

Northampton Saints won the LV= Cup, lost out at the Guinness Premiership semi-final stage and reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup in 2009/10.

Newman believes they must aim to improve on those achievements.

"I think they'll do really well, and they do have to push on," he said.

"They faltered at the end of the season, so they've got to be consistent and go one better."