Essex chief executive David East played down speculation yesterday that Yorkshire and England star fast bowler Darren Gough was poised to join the club next year.

Asked if he could confirm the reports, East said: "I cannot confirm anything.

Talking to players at this stage of the season is illegal and I have had no conversation with any players over joining the club next year.

East did not state categorically, however, that Gough would not be with Essex next summer and it is possible that soundings may have been taken.

Gough, who has been omitted from England's tour of New Zealand this winter after refusing to go to India first, is currently in his benefit season with Yorkshire and a big match for his benefit is being held at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, tomorrow.

But Gough has only played in two Championship matches for Yorkshire this season and it is quite possible that the club would be prepared to release him from his contract if he wanted to leave.

It would certainly mean a considerable financial saving for the cash-strapped club who see little of him these days.

Meanwhile, spinners James Middlebrook and Ian Fisher are among several Yorkshire players with first team experience who face the axe when the club's general committee meet to discuss contracts at Headingley tomorrow.

Although Yorkshire have crowned a marvellous season by winning the Championship, they warned earlier in the year that the staff would have to be reduced for financial reasons and these measures are now being carried out.

And if it is felt they do not go far enough then further sacrifices may have to be made over the coming weeks.

Off-spinner Middlebrook and his left-arm colleague Fisher, both brought up in the Bradford League, have gained good reputations around the country since making their Yorkshire debuts in 1996 and 1998 respectively and Middlebrook has been tipped by some experts to go right to the top.

But the writing has appeared on the wall for them this season as Richard Dawson has made substantial progress in the first team and Australian-born Andy Gray, who is playing league cricket for Scarborough, has also been pushed forward with enthusiasm.

Middlebrook has been restricted to three Championship games, scoring a career-best 84 in the first against Essex at Chelmsford, and Fisher to one.

The only chink of light for Middlebrook could be if Yorkshire have a late re-think following the call-up by England of Dawson for the winter series against India and New Zealand.

They may feel they need Dawson around next summer more than they originally thought.

Paul Hutchison has already been told he does not figure in Yorkshire's future plans and is being pursued by several counties and paceman Greg Lambert has also been given permission to approach other counties.

Opener Simon Widdup, dropped early on after a poor start, is almost certain to be on the hit list, and even Scott Richardson, who looked promising when going in first in seven matches before losing out, could be vulnerable.

Harrogate-born batsman Vic Craven has never let Yorkshire down but there seems to be no regular place for him in the side and he could be given his marching orders while young fast bowlers Gary Ramsden and Tom Baker may also be among those under threat.

Such is Yorkshire's financial situation that they would probably not kick up a fuss if David Byas said he wanted to retire after leading Yorkshire to glory in the Championship but it is almost certain that he will want to continue as captain for one more season to savour his triumph before returning to full-time farming.

Updated: 09:29 Wednesday, August 29, 2001