MUTTIAH Muralitharan could be back at Old Trafford next season.

The Sri Lankan spin wizard, who was unavailable this year because of international commitments, has already been lined up by Lancashire to return as their overseas player in 2001.

Sourav Ganguly, who is currently playing for India in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, only signed a one-year contract and Lancashire already have a provision agreement for Murali to return next year.

The freakish off-spinner, who took 66 wickets in seven Championship matches last year at an average of 11.77, is still in regular contact with Old Trafford, and is keen to come back to Manchester.

The only problem could be international fixtures if Sri Lanka arrange another Test series next August -- like the one against Pakistan which forced Lancashire to find a replacement for Murali this year. But at the moment Murali is hopeful that he will be free to play virtually a full season.

Lancashire returned to Championship action against Derbyshire at Old Trafford today with international calls biting deep into their squad.

As well as Ganguly, they were missing England trio Mike Atherton, Andy Flintoff and Chris Schofield, who have all travelled to Nottingham for tomorrow's Second Test against Zimbabwe.

That meant a first chance of the season for Gary Yates and also Paddy McKeown, the day before his 24th birthday.