Nathan McAvoy is close to securing a move to top-flight rugby union club Saracens.

The utility back, whose contract with Bradford Bulls expired at the end of last season, said: "We are just sorting out the money aspect, and the move is looking more and more likely.

"The issue is really at their end because of restructuring and salary capping."

McAvoy, who played in a total of 55 games for the Bulls in 1999 and 2000 but only 35 in the last two seasons, admitted: "I probably should have made the switch a couple of seasons ago.

"But I have only just turned 26 and I am sure I still have a few years left in me at the top level."

The England and Great Britain international, who scored 53 tries for the Bulls in 97 appearances since he joined them from Salford in July, 1998, had his profile lifted by the Odsal club winning the Middlesex Charity Sevens union tournament in August.

The former Eccles amateur had a successful afternoon at Twickenham, and said: "That didn't do me any harm at all."

But McAvoy was quick to point out that, although former Bulls assistant coach Darrel Shelford, now Saracens' assistant coach, and head coach Wayne (Darrel's brother), have been his points of contact, he wasn't keen to move to the club just because of the link.

McAvoy said: "I spoke to Saracens through my agent a couple of months ago, but it is just coincidence that Darrel is there. He hasn't tried to poach me."

Coaches for the pre-season friendly at Castleford on Friday, January 24 (8pm) will leave Odsal and Bradford Interchange at 6.15pm. The price is £6.