The Aussie, who played a key role in getting Saints relegated from the Guinness Premiership with a man-of-the-match performance in Worcester's win at Franklin's Gardens in 2007-08, is looking to perform a U-turn and escape from his contract with Japanese side Kubota Spears to stay at Sixways.

Worcester have had no joy in trying to sign a replacement since the 30-year-old announced he would be leaving England, and sources there say has ordered his agent to try to annul his deal with the Far East outfit.

Warriors' chairman Cecil Duckworth said that Drahm, who represented England A after qualifying through residency, impressed so much in the second half of the season he is seen as a key player for next term.

The Sixways chief said: "We are having second thoughts about Shane leaving, so we'll have to see about that as those talks go on and develop.

"It's now up to Shane's agent, but hopefully his team in Japan wouldn't want a player who is thinking he shouldn't have gone there.

"It is delicate, but we are optimistic that we will now keep Shane and he won't be going elsewhere.

"We've got one or two alternatives with Loki Crichton and young Joey Carlisle, who is coming along.

"But we like Shane and, no doubt, when he is playing the way he is, he is as good as anyone else in the Premiership.

"He's keen to stay, but obviously he's got a contract in Japan, so we will need to have an alternative."