Back facing welcome dilemma over Gomarsall

The 35-year-old World Cup-winning scrum-half has been absent since picking up a leg injury in the win at Sale on February 19, but helped Leeds's reserves defeat Leicester's second string in the A-League on Monday and is available to face title-chasing Northampton.

Former Natal Sharks No 9 Scott Mathie has proved an able deputy, coming off the bench at Edgeley Park to score the game's decisive try and then helping Leeds to two more wins in their battle against the drop.

It all adds up to a major selection headache for head coach Neil Back.

"Andy's in the mix for this week. It will be critical in the run-in to have his experience and we need him to be fully fit," said Back.

"He's working back from injury and having him in the A-team is great for him and also for the young players who get to play with a World Cup winner.

"Our aim is to have two players for every position but scrum-half is a position of real strength. Scott has done a great job and there's Joe Bedford as well, which makes it three players for that position. It's going to be a difficult decision."

Fly-half Joe Ford is also available after recovering from the back trouble which forced him out of the defeat to Gloucester.