He is believed to be planning to use the 1999 season to groom a successor and the SLE's marketing manager, Australian Ian Robson, is seen as a front-runner to take over.

Lindsay was formerly chairman of Wigan and served as chief executive of the Rugby Football League for six years until 1997.

He also led negotiations with News Corporation, resulting in an £87m deal which brought about the formation of Super League and the change to summer rugby.

Lindsay moved to his present post at the beginning of this year and his two-year contract lasts until the end of next season.

The 58-year-old is also a bookmaker and a business partner recently spent £200,000 on pitches at four leading courses, indicating that a return to horse racing was in Lindsay's mind.

He is on holiday until after Christmas but is expected to make a formal announcement about his future early in the New Year.