Gough denies Yorkshire move

Darren Gough has denied rumours linking him with a return to Yorkshire. Gough, the former England fast bowler, has played at Essex for the last three years and has told Cricinfo that he does not intend to go back to Headingley.

"I've not spoken to anyone from Yorkshire," he said, "and I don't know where this rumour has come from."

Essex's chief executive David East also spoke to Cricinfo and he is convinced Gough will be at the County Ground in 2007, too. "It's news to us," he said of the Yorkshire rumours. "As far as we are concerned he will be an Essex player next season".

The chief executive of Yorkshire, Stewart Regan, was adamant that the rumours were just rumours at this stage. "There's been no formal discussion," he told the BBC. "That's another bit of rumour and speculation."

Gough has been offered a new two-year contract by Essex and is expected to sign in the near future.