CHURCH are hoping to name a new professional withthin the next couple of weeks after losing the services of new South African star Justin Kemp.

The all-rounder had agreed to replace Mike Watkinson as paid man at Blackburn Road this season but after receiving international call-ups is now unable to fulfill that commitment.

Kemp won his first Test cap against Sri Lanka earlier this winter and is now on a tour of the West Indies which would have kept him out of the first seven games of the new Transco Lancashire League season.

And when the South African authorities then insisted on recalling Kemp in mid-August to prepare for a series against Zimbabwe in September, Church's hopes were dashed.

Club chairman Don Holt said: "We are very disappointed because he's one heck of a cricketer and when we went for him we never guessed he would have a rise like this.

"But we didn't have a decision to make. When they (the South African board) ask for his release it's written in the contract so we really had no choice.

"We're back to square one but we have other irons in the fire. You never don't have someone in mind and we're hoping that in the next fortnight we'll be able to announce a new professional."

Meanwhile, Watkinson will be professional for Bolton League side Walkden this summer.