Kent, Surrey deny Saqlain claims

Saqlain has not given up hope of an international recall

Kent and Surrey have denied Pakistani spinner Saqlain Mushtaq's claim that they have offered him a contract.

Saqlain, recovering from a serious knee injury, wants a return to county cricket and is using facilities at The Oval as part of his rehabilitation.

"Kent and Surrey have made me offers but I've not accepted them yet as I'm not 100% fit," Saqlain said.

Both counties categorically denied the claims when contacted by BBC Sport on Saturday.

There is an overseas vacancy at Kent, but director of cricket Graham Ford said: "I am not aware of any offer, and I should know.

"Saqlain's agent did contact us last week but that was the end of it."

We already have two spinners at the club and are not looking to sign another Surrey spokesman

However, Ford admitted he was a fan of the off-spinner and said Kent were still looking to sign a second overseas player alongside South African Andrew Hall.

"Saqlain is a wonderful player and a wonderful talent, and we are still looking to boost our squad," he added.

"He would certainly come into the reckoning, but there are a number of issues that need to be considered first, not least the club budget."

A spokesman for Surrey said they were allowing Saqlain, a former player at the club, to train at The Oval as nothing more than a goodwill gesture.

"Surrey have made no offer," the spokesman revealed.

"We already have two spinners at the club and are not looking to sign another. In any case, I don't think Saqlain is fit enough and he is training at The Oval purely as part of his rehabilitation.

Expert reviews Harbhajan's action

Surrey, who have Saqlain's countryman Azhar Mahmood on their books, are expecting the arrival of India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh once an expert analysis on his bowling action is complete.

Saqlain was forced out of cricket last June when he developed ulcers in both knees and cartilage damage due to overuse, leading to micro fracture technique surgery.

The 28-year-old, who has 208 wickets in 49 Tests, has not given up on an international recall.

"Although the recovery process has been slow I've now started playing Sunday League matches - but my doctor has advised me to take it slowly and easily," he said.

"I'm still not 100% match fit and in my last examination the doctor told me I should keep two to three months in mind before I can be back to my normal self.

"So basically I'm taking it day by day and targeting a return to international cricket when England tours Pakistan from October onwards."