PEARS Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes has admitted the current packed international schedule means it will not be easy for the county to replace South African paceman Kyle Abbott.
Abbott played the last game of his spell with the county against Kent in the Specsavers County Championship defeat at Canterbury.
The 29-year-old has been included in the South African squad for the forthcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand in Durban beginning on August 19 and then Centurion from August 27.
Abbott has played a total of two championship, two Royal London One-Day Cup and two T20 Blast matches during his curtailed spell at New Road.
The task of replacing him for the run-in to the end of the campaign has been further complicated with all the major Test-playing nations currently involved in series around the world.
The West Indies and India are halfway through a four-Test series in the Caribbean which will be followed by two T20Is.
Sri Lanka and visiting Australia have one Test left to play before starting an ODI series and Pakistan are touring England.
Rhodes said the club began the search for a replacement once it became clear Abbott would be jetting off to join the Proteas.
“After the match at Canterbury, we are in the middle of a week without any cricket and we are exploring possibilities,” he said.
“If you look at the international calendar, a lot of teams are playing but we will do our best to try and get an overseas player in.”
Rhodes remains optimistic opening batsman/spinner Brett D’Oliveira will be fit to return for the Specsavers County Championship match with Glamorgan at New Road starting on Saturday.
D’Oliveira suffered a dislocated finger in the Royal London One-Day Cup clash with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and was ruled out of the Kent match.
“Brett had a dislocation and a little cut and, the way things are looking, he is on track for playing the next game,” Rhodes added.