Yorkshire are set to sign 33-year-old Somerset batsman Richard Harden in an attempt to shore up their middle-order.

Yorkshire chief executive Chris Hassell admitted today that the club were having "serious discussions" with Harden and indicated that the signing could be completed within the next couple of weeks.

Somerset made Harden a List One player when he told them he wanted to make a fresh start with a new county next season, but they have now agreed to put him on List Two which means there are no restrictions placed on his move.

With Australian newcomer Greg Blewett likely to open the batting with Michael Vaughan next season because of Anthony McGrath's loss of form, Yorkshire were concerned there was a gap to be plugged in the middle order until one or two of their younger players have gained in experience.

They see Harden as being ideal for the role and the likelihood is that he will be given a two-year contract in order to see them through the next couple of seasons.

Yorkshire know to their cost that Harden can be a difficult batsman to dislodge and he scored a championship century against them at Scarborough in 1990 and 129 not out and 80 not out in Somerset's seven wicket victory at Taunton in 1995. He also hit an unbeaten 71 in the drawn match at Park Avenue in 1994.

Born in Bridgewater, Harden made his debut for Somerset in 1985 and has since scored almost 13,000 championship runs for them, but his appearances have been restricted by injuries over the past couple of seasons.

Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson said: "Harden has been a very good servant of the club and has a good first class record but he has come to the stage in his career where he feels a fresh challenge will rejuvenate him."

Derbyshire's former captain Kim Barnett is seeking his release from the club and Yorkshire showed a recent interest in the 38-year-old free-scoring batsman before deciding not pursue the matter any further because of financial constraints.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire yesterday had to put on hold at the last minute their expected signing of Yorkshire left-arm spinner Richard Stemp because the player missed his plane from Holland and could not be at Trent Bridge. Stemp is likely to sign a two-year contract today.

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