WORCESTER Rugby Club could make a World Cup swoop after terminating Dean Thomas' contract.

The flanker, who only started one league game since his summer move from Swansea, has left Sixways after failing to settle.

Thomas was commuting from South Wales every day and, after a number of hamstring problems, it was decided that the move just wasn't working out.

"Dean Thomas' contract has been terminated by mutual consent," said Worcester's director of rugby John Brain.

"We wish Dean all the best for the future but it just wasn't working because he had to commute such a distance. Since I have been at the club I have brought in a clause into players' contracts that they have to live within a certain distance of Sixways.

"We want players who are committed to the club and unfortunately Dean was finding that commitment difficult because of the distance involved.

"It also wasn't helping with his hamstring problems so the player and the club have decided it's in his best interests to return to Wales."

Thomas' exit, however, could mean a swoop for a World Cup star with Brain and coach Andy Keast now monitoring the tournament for a potential gem.

"The World Cup is a great tournament," added Brain. "However, it is also a rugby market place where the players are on show. I would hope that, after Dean's departure, there would be money available within the budget now to bring someone in.

"At present we have good competition for places in the back row but we are aware we have injuries to Gavin Pfister, Christian Evans and Richard Bates so it's something we will be keeping an eye on."

Pfister is ruled out of Worcester's Powergen Cup fourth round clash with Exeter Chiefs on Saturday after a recurrence of his shoulder injury and Brain will wait until tomorrow to name his side. A number of players, including Neil Lyman and Bates, face late fitness tests.

"There will be a few changes to the side which beat Manchester on Saturday," said Brain. "However, there won't be wholesale changes.

"We want to continue the progress we have been making with a win over Exeter and we have a proud unbeaten record this season that we don't want to surrender."