Watford have tonight admitted they expect Saracens to leave Vicarage Road at the end of this season.

Non-executive director Stuart Timperley and Watford's head of business operations Michael Jones both said they believed the rugby club would leave the area at the end of this season during tonight's fans forum at the ground.

Timperley said: “Saracens have pursued their options, they have been very clear about having options. We were one of the options. Our view was that we are probably one of the least likely options.

“They were looking to do something else and recent publicity and from our understanding, they are seriously pursuing another options.”

Watford issued a break clause in the two club's agreement in May which means Saracens will leave Vicarage Road at the end of this season unless a new deal is agreed.

The Hornets made two proposals to Sarries regarding staying at the ground Jones has not ruled out the Men in Black remaining at Vicarage Road beyond this summer.

But the rugby club has been linked with a host of other grounds in recent months, in particular Barnet Copthall Stadium, and Jones backed up Timperley's view.

Jones said: “Edward Griffiths, the chief executive at Saracens, is in constant dialogue with Julian Winter here. There was a good understanding between both parties.

“To follow on from what Stuart said, I think it is safe to say they are looking at other options ahead of Vicarage Road but we are still very much one of their options.

“In terms of the time frame, we made our position clear to them and whilst we never say never, we had to plan for the future and that is very much at this point in time, as if they are not going to be here – that is how it feels to us.

“There are a number of things we have to put in place to make sure we are ready for a future without Saracens.”

Watford set Saracens a deadline of September 3 for a decision but it is still unclear whether they will be leaving in the summer.

Winter expressed his disappointment at Sarries' failure to provide an answer when the deadline passed two months ago but Timperley had some sympathy for the rugby club.

Timperley said: “I think we have to be understanding of their issue as well. I think they are genuinely concerned about what they should do.

“If they decide to stay here, we wanted them to be a proper part of it so we could mutually develop the ground and so on and I am not convinced they felt they can make it work.”