The former Leeds and England rugby league international full-back, dropped before last October’s Grand Final and then suspended, is now a free agent as he awaits his punishment from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), the Press Association reported.

Castleford’s head coach, Daryl Powell, announced in January that the club had helped Hardaker find a job outside rugby league but has now revealed that the player is no longer part of the club.

"He’s not under contract with us because obviously he was sacked, having done what he’s done," he said.

The club has now issue a statement saying: "Castleford Tigers can confirm that Zak Hardaker has been dismissed from his contract with the club.

"Castleford Tigers will comment on this matter further when UKAD conclude their case."

Hardaker, 26, whose form in 2017 earned him a shortlisting for the Man of Steel award he won two seasons earlier, had four years left on a contract he signed last June.

Castleford paid Leeds £150,000 ($210,000/€170,000) to make a loan move permanent but his career came to a halt when he failed a drug test after a Super 8s game in September.

UKAD has yet to divulge details of its investigation but Hardaker, who missed the World Cup because of his suspension, is facing the likelihood of a two-year ban, which would be backdated.

That has not prevented the player being linked with a move to Wigan.

"Why clubs would be talking to him at this point ... it hasn’t even been decided what ban it is," Powell commented.