Nottinghamshire have made an approach to re-sign Chris Cairns, despite having already signed Shoaib Akhtar as their overseas player.

The Pakistan paceman was secured as the county's overseas player for next season, before the International Cricket Council briefly banned him over a suspect bowling action.

Cairns, 29, confirmed he was looking at the prospect of playing in England this year.

"It's all at the preliminary stage," Cairns was quoted as saying in the Wellington Dominion newspaper.

"I earn my livelihood from playing cricket, and you only have a limited time in the game.

It is thought the New Zealand all-rounder is being lined up as cover, in case Akhtar is over committed to the Pakistan national side.

But Cairns added: "There's no decision yet. I need to talk to a few people."

Cairns spent his formative cricketing years playing for Nottinghamshire, but in recent seasons has been unable to play a county season because of his commitments with the Black Caps.

He is expected to talk through his options with New Zealand coach David Trist before making a decision.

Cairns is currently battling minor back and knee injuries which will keep him out of the next few rounds of provincial cricket in New Zealand.

Former England batsman and Nottingham captain Tim Robinson said Cairns would be the county's first choice of any overseas cricketer.

Cairns first went to Nottinghamshire under the direction of New Zealand's Sir Richard Hadlee who had a distinguished career for the county.

He made his debut at the club aged 17 and returned for several seasons in the mid-1990s as their overseas professional.