NORTHAMPTON CAN DO nothing to stop Chris Ashton from walking away from Franklin Gardens next year, director of rugby Jim Mallinder said yesterday.
The England winger’s current deal with the Saints expires in 2012 and Ashton has already been linked to a number of high-profile moves, including a switch to Aviva Premiership rivals Saracens.
Speaking to BBC Look East, Mallinder insisted that Northampton would be happy to offer Ashton a new deal but neither the player nor his agent have shown any interest in opening talks, paving the way for the 24-year-old to become one of next summer’s most sought-after free agents.
“There’s not an offer on the table, because his agent doesn’t want to talk to us,” Mallinder revealed.
“If any player wants to go, for whatever reason, whether that’s moving to London, or a massive financial offer, we’re not going to stand in their way. We’ll shake their hand and we’ll get players who want to play for Northampton.”
Ashton is currently serving a four-week suspension for pulling Alesana Tuilagi’s hair during Northampton’s Premiership defeat to Leicester earlier this month.
The ban expires on 4 January but Mallinder warned that Ashton will have to fight to win his place back ahead of the Heineken Cup double-header against Scarlets and Munster later next month.
