Harbhajan blow for Lancs

Singh is suffering from a finger injury

Lancashire are frustrated overseas star Harbhajan Singh may be unable to fulfil his contract because of injury.

The Indian spinner was set to team up with the county on 28 April, after participating in a triangular tournament in Bangladesh.

But his arrival has been put on hold indefinitely because of a finger injury.

Lancashire have not lined up anyone yet but said they were monitoring the situation.

Here we are four days before the start of the season wondering what we are going to do

Jim Cumbes

Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes said they were disappointed Harbhajan was injured.

He told BBC Sport: "It was sprung on us just a couple of days ago and Harbhajan will need rest to cure it.

"Mike Watkinson's first reaction was to say he could have been warned about it sooner.

"If Mike had known then he could have made some contingency plans.

"That is what is most disappointing.

"Here we are four days before the start of the season wondering what we are going to do."

Coach Mike Watkinson said: "Harbhajan has been playing through a bit of pain and he needs a break to let the finger settle down.

"It seems that a small period of rest is the best way forward for both parties.

"He's very disappointed because he doesn't want to let people down by turning up injured.

"We've not lined anybody else up yet but we will consider it on an ongoing basis and take it from there."

Lancashire had already attempted to sign a temporary replacement for the first couple of games of the season even before they heard of Harbhajan's injury.

They contacted the Sri Lankan cricket board to determine whether star off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan would be available for Friday's opening match against champions Surrey at The Oval.

But the request was blocked.

Watkinson said: "We'd lined up Murali for the first game but the Sri Lankan board wouldn't give him clearance.

"If someone comes in to supplement the squad we want to make sure it is the right kind of player and not someone just for the sake of it."