Northamptonshire's pre-season preparations have taken a further hit after it was revealed that overseas signing Jackson Bird will be sidelined for four months with a back injury.
The 27-year-old, who has played three Tests for Australia – the last of which was at the Emirates Durham ICG during last year's Investec Ashes campaign – has suffered a recurrence of an old ailment.
It comes less than two weeks after limited-overs skipper Alex Wakely was ruled out of the 2014 season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
With Bird's deal with Northants lasting for the first six LV= County Championship games, the club have quickly turned their attentions elsewhere to get an overseas player in place for the start of the season.
A club statement read: “The club wishes to place on record its hope that Jackson Bird makes a full recovery from his ongoing back injury.
“The club has been aware of Jackson’s potential ongoing injury for some time, having already amended his original contract in order for his workload to be managed more carefully to allow him a pre-season in Australia.
"Over the weekend we have made an offer to another overseas bowler with Test match experience."
Northants went on to confirm that these talks are at an advanced stage, and that the new signing will be able to feature in four-day cricket and the NatWest T20 Blast.
They hope to have the new arrival in place ahead of their opening match in Division One against reigning champions Durham from Sunday 13 April.