Dan Lydiate was named the 2012 Six Nations player of the tournament © Getty Images

Enlarge

Wales flanker Dan Lydiate will return to regional rugby following the autumn internationals, his club Racing Metro have announced.

Lydiate has spent just 17 months with Racing and has struggled to nail down a first-team place in the Top 14 side.

As ESPN reported earlier this month, Lydiate is expected to sign a dual contract with a region and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), although his PRO12 destination is not yet known.

Lydiate left Newport Gwent Dragons for Racing in 2013, but Wales Online reports that Ospreys are most likely to offer the 26-year-old a new home. They play in the top-level Champions Cup and are in the throes of a back-row injury crisis, having called in Ieuan Jones on loan as cover.

"I would like to thank Racing for their welcome, and the 17 months I spent at the club," Lydiate said. "I would also like to thank the club officials for their understanding, and especially the way they agreed to release me from my contract."

"We wish Dan an excellent end of season with his new club and all the best for his international future with Wales, whether for the November Tests, the Six Nations or the Rugby World Cup," Racing chairman Jacky Lorenzetti said.

Lydiate's team-mates Jamie Roberts and Mike Phillips have been linked with similar returns to Wales on the dual-contract scheme, which was set up as part of the £60 million settlement between the WRU and the four regions over the future of the Welsh professional game.

Roberts and Phillips have distanced themselves from returns to Wales, but Lydiate had remained quiet on the subject until this announcement.

"Discussions on a number of national dual contracts are advancing," a WRU spokesman said. We don't comment on individual contracts or negotiations. When discussions are concluded we will make an announcement."

Wales captain Sam Warburton is currently the only player signed to a dual-contract, playing his regional rugby for Cardiff Blues.