Darren Gough could be close to reaching a decision over whether to continue playing for Yorkshire this season or hang up his boots altogether.

Although Yorkshire's director of cricket David Byas would not be drawn on the subject, there is mounting speculation that an announcement may be made shortly over Gough's future with the club.

There was talk towards the end of last season that 33-year-old Gough - who ended his Test career in the middle of last summer - was about to retire, but Yorkshire chief executive Colin Graves then said that the former England strike bowler would be at Headingley again in 2004.

Gough may, however, have had second thoughts and with his Test career now over he may want to leave himself free to pursue other interests.

But if he does wish to see out another season, he could still be a valuable asset to Yorkshire - provided he is not plagued by further knee problems.

Gough made strenuous efforts from the start of last season to prove he was fully recovered from the effects of three knee operations and he was England's best bowler in the NatWest Series of one-day internationals.

But then at Test level he found the going much tougher, and after the first two Tests against South Africa he announced his retirement from the Test arena, but said he still wanted to play one-day international cricket for England.

He bowled manfully for Yorkshire in the remainder of the season but was below his best and when Yorkshire had a full complement of fast bowlers at their disposal for the penultimate match he was left out of the side.