RUMOURS are again circling around social media regarding Chris Ashton's future, or supposed lack of it, at Worcester Warriors.

The Daily Mail reported at the weekend that 'legal procedures are underway' between club and player after a supposed fall-out.

Ashton has played just three and a half games for the club, having been given a seven-week ban at the back end of last season following a red card in the game vs Northampton Saints in March.

The 34-year-old has struggled with injuries since then and a stuttering pre-season has meant he is yet to feature this season.

But in recent weeks he has not been involved for reasons still unknown, although it is widely thought that he is serving out a suspension.

Head coach Jonathan Thomas has reiterated in consecutive weeks that the former England winger is "not available for selection", without adding anything further.

The former Northampton, Saracens and Toulon player who scored 100 points in a 44-cap international career, has struggled to settle recently, having played for Sale, Harlequins and Worcester the last 18 months.

Ashton is contracted until the end of the 2021/22 campaign but his time at Sixways now looks like being cut short, it seems.