The internal rift between Yorkshire and Darren Gough deepened today after Gough astonished club officials over the weekend by blasting his native county for telling him that he should see out his contract next year - a move which I forecast exclusively last week.

The star strike bowler's savage attack came after Yorkshire had prepared a statement saying how delighted they were that he was staying with the club.

Gough, who has been threatening to quit Yorkshire for the past three weeks, was told by chief executive Chris Hassell on Saturday that the club's committee had confirmed they were looking to him to fulfil the last year of his contract and that they had indicated they were then willing to extend it.

"Darren told me he would honour his contract and that he would give 110 per cent for Yorkshire next season," said Hassell.

"But I was then amazed to read in the News of the World that Darren was furious at being told he was not being allowed to leave.

"It is very difficult to understand what is going through his mind.

"Since he first made his feelings known, I have spoken to him and so have captain Darren Lehmann, coach Wayne Clark and cricket development officer Steve Oldham but we cannot identify what the problem is."

Despite being angered by Gough's outburst, Yorkshire seem unlikely to take any further action because Gough has agreed to stay with them next season.

It was because Yorkshire had not been able to pin Gough down and say whether he was staying or leaving that the club decided to end the speculation by stating he should see out his contract.

After Hassell had spoken to Gough and thought the problems were ironed out, a statement was prepared which would have been released today but was then issued in advance following Gough's blast.

"Darren Gough has confirmed that he will continue his career with Yorkshire," it read.

"His existing contract has a year to run and the club has indicated its willingness to extend the contract when the existing term expires.

"Darren has been concerned and even hurt by the various comments and rumours questioning his commitment to Yorkshire which has never been in doubt."

The supposedly patched-up relationship between Gough and Yorkshire was then blown to pieces by Gough who expressed anger at only now being offered the possibility of an extension.

"Let's make it clear, I was not offered a new contract in September when the others were being handed out," he said.

"After all that's gone on recently, I'd be daft to sign any extension. If I'm being held to my contract, then I will honour it.

"But then the county will know that next summer will be my last at the club. That seems to be what some on the committee want."

If, as seems likely, Yorkshire continue to insist on Gough seeing out his contract it will prevent him from joining a new county next season.