INDIAN spinner Kartik Murali looks set to return to England for his first full season of county cricket next season - but not with Lancashire.

The 30-year-old left-armer, who has enjoyed two brief spells at Old Trafford in 2005 and 2006 is ready to join Division Two side Middlesex as a second overseas to Sri Lanka pace ace Chaminda Vaas.

Kartik became the first man to take ten wickets on his Lancashire debut when he took 10-168 against Essex at Chelmsford at the end of the 2005 season, before making his second appearance in the C&G Trophy Final defeat to Sussex at Lord's.

He said: "I'm grateful to Lancashire. This year it was a good opportunity for me to go and test my shoulder as soon as I was fit."

Kartik claimed 22 first-class wickets in his time at Old Trafford and was a popular figure in the Red Rose dressing room but has clearly caught the eye of the Middlesex coach John Emburey.

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