Simon Wormull is on the brink of leaving Crawley.

The influential midfielder has been given permission to speak to other clubs after an offer of a new two-year contract was withdrawn by the club's owners, the SA Group.

Wormull agreed improved terms on his current deal, which expires at the end of the season, last November during his spell as caretaker player-manager.

But after the appointment of boss John Hollins, Wormull was told that the offer had been withdrawn.

It has left the 29-year-old admitting his future at his home-town club is in serious doubt.

He said: "Before John Hollins arrived a contract was offered to me and I was happy with it.

"It was not as if I was hounding them (the SA Group) for a new contract. They said they had looked at mine and would like to offer me a new one.

"We talked and I thought we had agreed it and then I heard nothing for a long time. That is when I started to get worried.

"Now we have come to the January window and I have to ask what is going on? My current contract is until the end of the season but it won't be extended unless negotiations go well.

"They know what I'm looking for because it has already been offered to me so I will be asking for the same in the summer.

"They have said that they don't know if it is going to be there in the summer so really it is damage limitation for me now.

"I have to be a bit selfish because I'm 29-years-old and every contract I sign now I am looking towards the future.

"I just want it sorted out. If it is there then great, but if it isn't then I have to look elsewhere."

Wormull is quick to stress the problem has nothing to do with Hollins.

He added: "When John took over I was happy because it took a lot of stuff off my shoulders and in the time he has been here it has become a lot more professional. He is the best thing that has happened to the club this season.

"This is not something I have a problem with him (Hollins) about, it is something I agreed with the higher people.

"I can understand that any money John gets he wants to get new players in but, on a personal note, I have to look after myself.

"John understands where I'm coming from. He has not put me on the transfer list, he has just allowed me to speak to other clubs. I don't want to leave but if I have to I will."

News of Wormull's imminent departure will alert a host of clubs and in particular Weymouth who were interested in him earlier this season.

But it is the last thing Reds need as they battle to get away from the Conference relegation zone.

Wormull has not played well during his contract wrangle but there is no denying that, on his day, he is Crawley's most important player.

The club should be bending over backwards to keep him and the fact they are not confirms that money is tight at Broadfield Stadium.

That fact is something supporters will find hard to swallow. They are on the verge of losing one of their favourite players just two months after Reds made a £50,000 bid for Stevenage misfit Anthony Elding and at a time when their team is not playing well.

Saturday's 3-1 win against Conference north strugglers Worcester was convincing and put Reds into the last 16 of the FA Trophy, but the performance wasn't.

Chris Giles, Steve Burton and Tony Scully were Crawley's scorers.