England and Northampton Saints winger Chris Ashton is being linked to Saracens as his contract expires at the end of the season.

Ashton was linked to Saracens as far back as September this year when he was with England at the Rugby World Cup but the rumours have started up again.

Ashton may not talk to other clubs about a move until January and is currently serving a four week suspension for an "an act contrary to good sportsmanship".

Since he made the move from Wigan in Rugby League Ashton has become a key player for Northampton and more recently for England.

Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder says he is unsure about whether Ashton wants to stay with the Saints.

When asked if Ashton wanted to remain at Franklins Gardens Mallinder said, "I'm not too sure - you'd have to ask him."

Ashton left Wigan in 2007 but his best friend Joel Tomkins has joined Saracens and his former team mate Andy Farrell is one of the coaches.

Mallinder admitted that losing a player like Chris Ashton would be a blow.

"You want to keep all your best players," Mallinder told BBC Radio Northampton.

"If players want to leave, contracts are up all the time for different players and you can't worry too much about that.

"You want to keep players who want to play for the club and it's a simple as that."