WORCESTER Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock says there has been no contact with Gloucester fly-half Willie Walker.

Speculation has been growing at both sides of the M5 that the New Zealander would be heading for Sixways next season after the Guinness Prem-iership leaders announced the signing of Bath and England star Olly Barkley.

Walker's contract at Kingsholm expires this summer and with England Under 20 fly-half Ryan Lamb and Scotland's goalkicker Chris Pater-son ahead of the New Zealand Maori, opportunities for the former Highlander next term will be severely limited.

With Shane Drahm leaving Worcester at the end of the season for Kubota Spears in Japan, a fly-half will be high on Ruddock's recruitment drive for next term.

The Cherry and Whites are not thought to have started negotiations with Walker and it is unsure whether they will be looking to keep the New Zealand Maori, who has played alongside Worcester wing Rico Gear, when it expires.

"I'm not surprised that there has been a lot of talk about Walker because he is a good player," Ruddock said.

"But we certainly haven't approached him and he has not approached us. Anymore is just speculation."

Even though Walker's contract expires at the end of the season, the Kiwi has put contract issues to the back of his mind and let his rugby do the talking.

He said: "I'm fairly laid back and to say I don't think about it would be lying. It's not one of the main issues I think about.

"I worry about playing and the contractual stuff I leave to my agent."

Meanwhile, Thinus Delport is currently considering an offer to follow Drahm and Drew Hickey out to Japan when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Aussie duo have signed for Kubota Spears, but it is believed the South African has been offered a lucrative contract by Kobelco Steelers.