YORKSHIRE have still not been able to fix up a definite date on which to meet Darren Gough and discover if he is going to stay with the club or move elsewhere.

When Gough first alleged in a Sunday newspaper that certain committee members were stabbing him in the back and that he may quit the club, Yorkshire said they would be informed of his decision within ten days.

But now that time has gone by and some committee members are privately concerned that Gough seems to be running the agenda instead of the club instructing him to attend Headingley and put his cards on the table.

Last Sunday, Gough claimed that some Yorkshire team-mates, including Matthew Hoggard and Ryan Sidebottom, had pleaded with him to stay but he was still not sure.

"It's about how I feel and what's best for me and my family," he said.

"I can't drag this out. A decision needs to be made so my life can return to normal. I want it sorted out by the end of November."

With Yorkshire also wanting a speedy outcome, it is difficult to understand why the issue is taking so long.

The longer it goes on, the more Yorkshire members and fans are becoming mystified as to why Gough should feel so unhappy at the club, particularly when he is coming to the end of what will undoubtedly be a lucrative benefit season.

Meanwhile, questions must be asked about Craig White's long term future as an England player now that he has told coach Duncan Fletcher that he does not feel able to bowl as quickly as he used to do.

As a consequence, England have called up Andy Flintoff from the England Academy in Australia to join them in India so that they have an extra bowling option on their tour.

White's summer was marred by persistent back problems and if he has now lost some of his pace then England may feel he has no role in the side purely as a batsman instead of a key all-rounder.

Updated: 12:11 Wednesday, November 21, 2001