Leicestershire are hopeful that experienced West Indian Test batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan will agree to fill their overseas berth for the 2012 Championship season.

County have suffered one misfortune after another in their search for a replacement for Australian all-rounder Andrew McDonald.

They appeared to have former Kent star Martin van Jaarsveld in place in the autumn but he decided to step away from the county game.

Then Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf looked set to join, only for negotiations to break down at a very late stage.

However, Sarwan, 31, has emerged as a strong bet to take on the mantle – and he would also play alongside Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq as the second overseas player when the Foxes defend the Friends Life t20 trophy.

The right-hander, who looks as though he will be available for the full season, could open with Josh Cobb in limited-overs cricket while adding know-how to the middle order in first-class cricket. He would also offer a leg-spin option to the bowling attack.

Sarwan is leading Guyana in domestic cricket in the West Indies but, if negotiations go well, he could join up with County for a pre-season tour to the Caribbean next month.

"We have been in talks with Sarwan and are quite well down the line with him," said chief executive Mike Siddall.