Northampton Saints have been dealt a blow with the news that Ken Pisi requires shoulder surgery and could be sidelined for up to 12 weeks.

The Samoan wing dislocated his shoulder in last Friday’s 25-18 victory against Harlequins at Franklin’s Gardens.

Pisi, who has undergone surgery and is expected to be out for a minimum of 12 weeks, has been replaced in the Saints’ starting line-up by Taqele Naiyaravoro.

“I thought Kenny was just coming into his game nicely, but he’s had a shoulder dislocation and goes in for an operation on Monday,” Saints boss Chris Boyd told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo.

“We would expect him to be out for around about 12 weeks.

“But T (Naiyaravoro) has been brought here to do a job for us, he’s itching to play and he’s going to get a run-out tomorrow.

“He’s a power-based player, a big man who runs hard, and we just need to find ways to get him into the game.

“Generally with big men you try to get them into the tight contest but he’s a great space runner as well so if we can mix it up, that would be great.”