Worcestershire hopeful over Jones

Simon Jones has struggled to maintain his career after a series of injuries © Getty Images

Worcestershire are still hopeful of securing the signing of Simon Jones although he hasn't yet made a decision on where his future lies.

Jones was due to meet with Matthew Maynard, Glamorgan's cricket manager, on Monday but a bout of food poisoning put that back a day. He is out of contract and is considering offers from big-spending Hampshire as well as Worcestershire and his current county.

However, Glamorgan's lowly results over the last few seasons are likely to tempt Jones into making a move away from Wales as he tries to get his career back on track following a series of serious knee injuries since the 2005 Ashes series. He hasn't played for England since the Trent Bridge Test in August 2005 and managed just four Championship matches this season.

Jones lost his ECB central contract when the latest batch were announced last month but, although it means he will come with a hefty price tag, that hasn't quelled interest in trying to sign him.

"I haven't heard anything yet," Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire's director of cricket, told the Worcester News. "I'm remaining optimistic that he will still come here. I'm hoping that I will hear something this week. "I have spoken to Simon on the phone since our meeting and I have texted him as well He hasn't committed himself but I am optimistic."

Worcestershire are currently trying to strengthen their seam attack after Championship relegation and are also showing interest in Middlesex seamer Chris Whelan. He is out of contract at Lord's and has played only three Championship and five one-day games since making his debut in 2005