Matt Smith is looking to shift a monkey off his back tomorrow.

The Leicester Tigers winger has never won against Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.

It is a record that both he, and Leicester, will need to break if they are to maximise their chances of making the semi-finals of the LV= Cup.

Tigers top Pool One and will make the last four if they better whatever Saracens do at home to Newport Gwent Dragons.

"I have played at Franklin's Gardens plenty of times and never won," said Smith, 24.

"That is something we need to correct. It would be good to beat them, especially at their place, because they are our local rivals and that goes back a long way. If we play the best we can, we should be all right."

Smith started his first game for two months against Bath last Friday after a series of injuries stopped him in his tracks at the end of November.

Having come through that okay, the Leicester-born back is looking forward to a spell where those players who don't get international call-ups, form a very tight bond.

He said: "The injuries are okay now, touch wood. Things were a bit sore on Sunday. But it is not so much the injuries, it's more the lungs that hurt the most as you get up to match fitness.

"There are so many away on international duty and I think there were only about 20 of us at training yesterday. As a result, the whole group gets a lot closer when there is not so many people knocking around.

"It is difficult with new combinations, trying to get used to each other again, but it is a good chance for everyone to put their case forward.

"We have always had a big squad and, because of that, Leicester have always done well at this time of year.

"When you win games with a supposedly weaker team, it gives the whole squad a real lift.

"Then, when they guys come back from playing for their countries, they have to realise they need to lift their game to get back in the squad. That is good for everyone."

Tigers have won one of their last seven away games, while Saints, who top Pool Four have a tremendous home record.

Saints are less affected by international call-ups than Leicester who will keep faith with the side which earned a bonus point win over Bath.

Smith said: "Leicester like winning trophies and it was hard getting knocked out of the Heineken Cup. If we win with a bonus point, we know we have a good chance of going through."