LANCASHIRE hope Harbhajan Singh will go to Manchester to continue the rehabilitation programme on his injured finger, rather than stay in India.

"We have offered him the opportunity to use the services of our medical team and are waiting to hear from the Indian authorities," said manager Mike Watkinson.

Harbhajan, who has just played for India in a triangular series in Bangladesh, has been told to rest for several weeks instead of immediately joining Lancashire as their second overseas player.

Despite the delay, Lancashire still want the 22-year-old spinner and are unlikely to sign a replacement, Sri Lanka having blocked a possible move for Muttiah Muralitharan.

On the field Lancashire's new batting line-up has set out its stall with a glut of runs in the first week of the season.

But it has been a frustrating start for the Red Rose bowlers with first Ian Ward and Rikki Clarke defying them at the Oval, and then a combination of bad weather and dogged resistance foiling them in the current clash with Notts at Old Trafford.