1995 World Rally champion Colin McRae has admitted that a return to Subaru in 20ꦇ04 is currently not 'looking very good'.

McRae, who was dropped by Citroen following changes to the regulations, has been in negotiation with the Banbury-based squad since ne🧔ws broke that Richard Burns would not be able t🌱o take up his place with the team after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The Scot visited Subaru on Wednesday and, according to reports by British newspaper The Guardian, has also tested the Subaru Impreza W♓RC since then.

Speaking last night though, MไcRae re𒉰portedly told the broadsheet newspaper: "I've nothing to say at the moment. It's not looking very good."

McRae 💮had been thought𓄧 to be favourite for the second seat alongside Petter Solberg, and currently he still seems to be the best option, with Harri Rovanpera and Mikko Hirvonen the only other realistic possibilities - although some have suggested that Tommi Makinen might go back on his decision to retire.

One stumbling block could be McRae's d🐻e🐽cision to take part in the Paris-Dakar Rally next month. The deal with Nissan means he will have only five days rest before going straight into the Monte Carlo Rally, the opening round of the 2004 FIA World Rally Championship. Testing for the Dakar event may also limited his time in the Impreza, something that could adversely affected his WRC performance.

Such reports though seem to contradict other sources, and BBC Sport Online reported yesterday that a deal was 'close' after 'p𝔉ositive' talks in Japan.

Te𓂃am boss David Lapworth commented: "The me🍸etings in Japan were very positive. Were looking to be in a position to make a full assault on the championship next year."

2003 WRC champion, So𓂃lberg meanwhile, has revealed he would not ꦆbe against teaming up with McRae.

He told the BBC: "It's not🎐 something I would object to. I actually think it would be positive."

Subaru has yet to release any official statement.