Leicestershire are set to run the rule over former Surrey seam bowler Neil Saker.

The 24-year-old will join up with the County for pre-season as senior coach Tim Boon looks to bolster his pace attack.

Although Leicestershire have added the experienced AJ Harris from Nottinghamshire during the winter, they have lost the services of Lionel Baker, who has been selected for West Indies international duty.

With Garnett Kruger having also departed from Grace Road, County certainly need to strengthen their seam ranks – or rely on a very inexperienced attack.

In 2003, Saker was the first player from the Surrey Academy to sign a full-time contract at the Oval.

However, he has been unable to establish himself in the first team and played just 18 first-class games – much of that because of injury.

Last year he did not figure in the Surrey championship side, which was relegated from Division One, and was limited to a handful of Friends Provident Trophy appearances. He was released at the end of the season.

County, and bowling coach Lloyd Tennant, will look at what Saker has to offer in the build-up to the new season, which begins in April. The success of Nadeem Malik last term highlights that a fresh start is often all the incentive a player needs to find his best form.