The Sharks currently find themselves in sixth place and just six points behind the Aviva Premiership playoffs as league action returns, having won on four of their last five outings.
Having battled clear of the threat of relegation last season, former Shark Foden has been impressed by what he has seen at AJ Bell Stadium.
“A couple of years ago they were touted to go down and were struggling a little bit,” he said on SaintsTV. “They haven’t really gone out and signed big names - Cipriani was a notable one I guess and has probably been the catalyst to their form – but they’ve just gone about their business very well.
“You have to doff your cap for what they’ve done. They’ve silenced their critics on the field rather than shouting their mouths off and have snuck into a good position and within range of the top four.
“Last weekend was a bitter pill to swallow and it’s going to be a big challenge for us. But we’ve got the big guns back at the club so hopefully they can inspire us to pick ourselves up and get back on track.”
There will be no TV coverage at AJ Bell Stadium for the 2pm kick off on Saturday afternoon, but you can still follow all he action as it happens with live updates at www.saintslive.co.uk and commentary on BBC Northampton.
