Suspended Lions coach John Mitchell has been linked with a return to the Sale Sharks.

The club are rooted at the bottom of the Premiership standings following six successive defeats, and according to the Sunday Times (UK), will rope in Mitchell to halt their regression.

Mitchell is a former Sharks player and rugby director who left the club to form part of Clive Woodward's England coaching team.

It is believed that he will initially serve as a consultant with the likelihood to replace forwards coach Steve Scott, who was sacked by the club last month.

The Sunday Times quoted 'one of Sale's international contingent' as saying: "We've heard about John's approach, now we'll have to see for ourselves."

Mitchell coached the All Blacks from 2001 to 2003 and resigned after New Zealand’s semifinal exit at the 2003 World Cup, where after he coached the Western Force before making the move to the Lions.

Mitchell is currently entangled in a legal battle with the Johannesburg-based side, who suspended the 48-year-old after an alleged player revolt against his pragmatic coaching philosophy.

Any possible move to Sale can thus only be finalised after his legal dispute has been settled.