Gloucestershire line up Noffke

Gloucestershire have lined up Ashley Noffke as a replacement for Umar Gul © Getty Images

Gloucestershire have announced that Ashley Noffke, the Australian seamer, has been lined up to replace Umar Gul for the start of the 2007 season.

Noffke will replace Gul if, as expected, he is called up to Pakistan's World Cup squad.

Gloucestershire head coach Mark Alleyne said: "I am very excited at gaining the services of Ashley at the start of the season. He is a top performer and the timing couldn't have been better as Ashley looks to re-launch his bid for a place in the Australian side. I look forward to working closely with him."

Noffke, who plays for Queensland, has previously had spells at Middlesex and Durham and has taken 256 first-class wickets in 79 matches. He came to attention when he was selected for the Ashes tour in 2001 but has since failed to convince the Australian selectors.