Nick Evans could be heading to Harlequins sooner than expected after missing out on the New Zealand wider training squad.

The Blues back, who can play fly-half or full-back, failed to make Graham Henry's 25-man squad and is considering whether to exercise a clause in his NZRU contract that will allow him to leave New Zealand before the end of the year.

Evans has signed a deal with Guinness Premiership side Harlequins until 2011.

The 27-year-old, who was rated as one of the best performers in last year's failed World Cup campaign, learned of his omission via a voice message left on his phone.

He told Radio Sport: "It was gutting, no-one likes to get a message like that, but that's the way it was."

It now seems likely he will head to Britain in time for the start of the new season, rather than play for Auckland in the Air New Zealand Cup.

Evans added: "I've got a clause in my contract where I can exercise the right to head up earlier if I choose to. I will go through the process of working out what's best for me.

"Overall it's really sad and I'm disappointed that I didn't make the squad but in the long run it could be beneficial for me.

"It gives me time to freshen up and allows me to get rid of all the little niggles that I have and then I can head up there when the time's right and get into it."

Evans was one of five former All Blacks, along with Chris Masoe, Jason Eaton, Piri Weepu and Isaia Toeava, to miss out on selection for the squad, which does not include any Crusaders players because of their forthcoming Super 14 final against the NSW Waratahs.

But the 16-Test veteran does not believe his decision to head overseas played a part in his omission.

"I've learned pretty quickly in this game, never expect anything. I tried to play the best I can and obviously I made a decision halfway through the year to head up north and ply my trade up there.

"I wasn't expecting anything - if I made it, I made it; if I didn't, I didn't," he added.

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