LANCASHIRE were today reconsidering their plans to sign Carl Hooper as a short-term overseas replacement for the injured Harbhajan Singh.

They were hoping to have Hooper in the country this week and in their team for the Championship game against Middlesex which starts at Lord's on Friday.

But manager Mike Watkinson revealed today that Lancashire have encountered some problems with the complicated rules governing overseas replacements, and have therefore put the deal on hold.

The problem is believed to revolve around the fact that Harbhajan injured his finger during the World Cup, but the rules state that replacements are only allowed for players injured in Test cricket.

Lancashire were seeking further clarification from Lord's today but that meant frustration both for Watkinson and Hooper, who is available immediately after resigning as the West Indies captain last month.

The good news is that both Andy Flintoff and James Anderson will be available for the Middlesex game - probably for the last time before they link up with England for the two Tests against Zimbabwe, the start of another busy international summer.

Lancashire also had Lord's on their minds today as they launched their Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy campaign in deepest Devon.

Glen Chapple returned after missing Monday's National League win at Durham with a virus, but Kyle Hogg was missing with the calf injury he picked up in Durham, which could keep him out for a month.