Northampton Saints winger Chris Ashton could leave the club at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old, whose contract expires next year, is allowed to talk to other clubs in January, according to BBC Sport.

The England international is currently serving a four-week suspension after his part in a brawl against Leicester last week.

"You want to keep all your best players," said Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder.

"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."

Ashton joined the club from Super League side Wigan Warriors in 2007.