WORCESTER Rugby Club have switched their attention to former Wales Under 21 star Allen Chilten as they continue their scrum-half search.

The Sixways club have been talking with ex-Leeds Tykes number nine John O'Reilly after a trial spell but, with both parties still to reach an agreement over a contract offer, Worcester are now looking at other options.

Coaches John Brain and Andy Keast originally wanted the scrum-half situation resolved before they jetted off on their nine-day South African break next Thursday. But they may extend the period as they continue to search for a back-up to Werner Swanepoel.

The coaches have been searching for a new scrum-half after Smith's untimely departure to Cardiff last month and Chilten has tonight's Ebbw Vale friendly at Sixways to impress.

The 23-year-old played in the Zurich Premiership with Newcastle Falcons two years ago, but endured a frustrating time at Caerphilly after moving back to Wales last season. The Virginia Park club won just one match in their Welsh-Scottish League campaign.

Out of contract since June, Chilten is now desperate to rejoin English rugby and sees Worcester as an attractive option.

"We are taking the opportunity to look at Allen in the Ebbw Vale match," said Brain. "John O'Reilly's loan period has ended and we have thanked him for his contribution. We are now looking at other options, but John is still a contender and we have told him that.

"Allen has Premiership experience with Newcastle and I think he went to Caerphilly on the promise that the club would sign some good players. In the end, they didn't and Allen has had a frustrating time."

Worcester will be without Richard Bates, Mark Gabey, Neil Lyman and Dan Zaltzman in tonight's friendly clash (7.15pm). Bates is still recovering from a January shoulder operation, while Gabey will only begin contact training next week after undergoing a knee operation last month.

Lyman is suffering from tendonitis and Zaltzman will be out of action for another two weeks after breaking his nose in Saturday's friendly with Swansea.

The game is likely to be split up into four 20-minute sections in order to look at as many players and combinations as possible.