Escape route.

Ospreys are set to offer George North an instant escape route from Premiership strugglers Northampton, after the winger had a huge public fallout with his current employers.

North has already signed a deal with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to move back to Wales next season. But WalesOnline are reporting that Ospreys are read to bring him in for the rest of the season, in a bid to address their current injury crisis.

The Lions winger has accused by interim Saints boss Alan Gaffney of not wanting to play in their Premiership clash with Sale Sharks last weekend. North is said to be furious, with a deal said to be in place with former boss Jim Mallinder that he would not play during Six Nations rest weekends.

The report suggests Warren Gatland has told the wing that if he wants to come home early Welsh rugby will look after him.

Ospreys have been hit by the early retirement of Eli Walker, and with Ben John taking a year out and Keelan Giles, Dafydd Howells, Dewi Cross and Cory Allen all injured, the region are in desperate need of a man out wide.

They are also said to be interested in making the deal permanent beyond this season.