SARACENS do not expect to move to Copthall until January and are in talks with various venues to host matches at the start of next season.

The Premiership side, who are expected to leave Vicarage Road in Watford this summer, originally hoped to get the go-ahead to move to Mill Hill stadium by September, in time for the new campaign but have readjusted their timescale.

The club hopes to make the athletics stadium its new home with 10,000 seats and an artificial pitch.

It is understood Saracens have considered Watford as a potential host for the start of next season.

In a letter to season ticket holders, chief executive Edward Griffiths told them the club anticipate a decision on the planning application will be completed by June.

He said: “At all times, we have stated we will respect the planning process and be content to do today whatever we can do today.

“At this stage, we anticipate the planning application will be determined some time during June, which means that, all going well, the newly refurbished stadium should be ready to stage Premiership rugby in January 2012.

“We are currently negotiating with various venues to stage our home matches during the first half of next season, and will very shortly announce plans for a uniquely flexible 2011/12 season ticket.”