McGrath dispute heads to Lord's

Anthony McGrath will go head-to-head with Yorkshire this week © Getty Images

Anthony McGrath's long-running dispute with Yorkshire will gain momentum later this week when the two parties meet in front of an independent panel at Lord's.

The dispute has been rumbling for much of the winter after McGrath made it clear he wanted to leave Headingley despite being mid-contract and offered the captaincy. Yorkshire are saying they want to hold him to the contract but McGrath himself is adamant he won't turn out for them again.

Earlier this month Stewart Regan, Yorkshire's chief executive, wrote to all the other first-class counties warning them not to deal with McGrath if he approached them.

"It is possible you may be approached by Mr McGrath's agent, regarding the possibility of him playing for your club," said Regan. "I am, however, putting you on notice that as matters currently stand, Yorkshire would regard any such approaches as constituting a breach of [ECB] regulation seven."

The rumours have been that Lancashire head the race for McGrath's signature, and whatever the outcome at Lord's it is likely to be a busy week around Yorkshire with Darren Gough's return to the club set to be confirmed in a few days.