SARACENS are still confident of bringing New Zealand superstar Chris Jack to Vicarage Road.

The club announced last month that talks had commenced with the 28-year-old lock with some reports suggesting they were prepared to lure him with a two-and-a-half year deal worth £750,000.

Sarries director of rugby Alan Gaffney this week confirmed the club were edging closer to rubber-stamping the All Black's capture.

Jack suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Super 14 outfit Crusaders last week but that is unlikely to deter Sarries from landing the latest in a long line of big-name players from the southern hemisphere.

"It's still alive," said Gaffney. "We hope that will be put to bed in our favour in the next few weeks. He's such an outstanding player and he would be a massive signing for us.

"We know he suffered an injury but we've been brought up to date on that."

However, Gaffney poured scorn on reports linking the Men In Black with Newcastle Falcons utility-back Loki Crichton.

"That (story) must have been put out by an agent," he added. "At no stage have we talked with Loki Crichton."