HAVING signed opener Stephen Moore, Lancashire are now turning their attention to strengthening their seam attack.

The addition of another top order batsman may not be out of the equation, especially if new rules on Kolpak players prevent Francois du Plessis from returning next year.

But coach Peter Moores is keen to bolster the seam department, with the club last season needing to draft in Tom Lungley on loan after an injury crisis.

Lancashire have already ruled out a move for Matthew Hoggard, who has been released by Yorkshire, but did put 28 days notice on his White Rose colleague Ajmal Shahzad, but the 24-year-old last week signed a new three-year deal at Headingley.

They have already added 26-year-old left-arm seamer Gary Montgomery, who spent the last half of the season on trial, to the pro staff.

And Andrew Flintoff will bolster the one-day ranks when he is not playing for England, assuming he recovers from his knee injury.

But Moores is still on the look out for a new bowling recruit.

Flintoff

"We need a bit more strength in the seam bowling department because we got exposed a bit last season," said the Lancashire coach.

"Glen Chapple works as hard as anybody but his body has gone through a lot so I don't expect him to be able to play in every game.

"We have Saj Mahmood who is working hard to get into the England team and if he does, that would leave us light.

"We also have Fred who will play one-day games but not four-day and exactly how that will fit into the mould we are not sure yet.

"So it would be sensible to make sure we are covered in our seam department, if the right person is out there, so that we can put out a competitive bowling unit at any given stage."

One area Moores isn't looking to add to, however, is the wicketkeeping department.

Although senior keeper Luke Sutton managed a top score of just 45 in the Championship last season and Gareth Cross didn't set the world alight in the Pro40 or Twenty20, former wicketkeeper Moores is happy with the duo.

MARCUS Trescothick has been forced to return home from the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India following a recurrence of a stress- related illness.

The former England batsman will play no further part in Somerset's campaign after last night being given permission to fly back to Britain.

The 33-year-old retired from international cricket last year after suffering problems on previous tours.

FRIENDS Provident will become the first title sponsors of the new domestic Twenty20 competition, which starts next year.

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