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Worcester Warriors are currently on the brink of forfeiting Sunday’s game against Exeter Chiefs after the cash-strapped club failed to pay its stadium suppliers ahead of the game.

The Warriors missed a 5pm deadline to play the medical and security providers, and the Premiership fixture cannot go ahead without those essential services.

Warriors boss Steve Diamond said: “I’m not here to fluff it. If people aren’t paid, and suppliers aren’t paid, then I don’t think, logistically, the game can go on.

“These people have got to deliver and I think they’re in the last throes of that. If they’re not then I probably won’t be sat in front of you again. That’s the reality of it.

“I’m too old and ugly to be naive to think they’re spinning a yarn. I don’t think they are.”

Warriors owners Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring said terms of sale for the Premiership club had been agreed with an investor on Tuesday.

But the club said on Wednesday evening they are still awaiting “final sign-off” on the contract for the sale.

“Let’s hope this is not another false dawn. These people have to deliver and I think they’re in the last throws of that,” Diamond added.

“It’s better to have a potential deal on the cards than not but if it’s another cock-and-bull story, it’ll be out in the wash at the weekend because we won’t be playing. 

“I don’t think they’re [Whittingham and Goldring] spinning a yarn. I think they’ve genuinely got somebody.”

The Worcester boss missed out on a number of targets this summer due to their financial woes but will scour the free agent market.

Below, we look at five possible transfer targets who are still without a club at present.

Brown, who has already revealed he will pursue a career as an agent when he hangs up his boots, was at one point being lined up as a potential replacement for Simon Hammersley at Sale after the fullback quit. However, they eventually went with the cheaper option of Jason Woodward following his release by Gloucester.

Ealing, Worcester and French club Agen also remain in the race for the experienced speedsters signature.

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