Yorkshire's chief executive Stewart Regan has conceded that the county “may have missed the boat” in trying to re-sign fast-bowler Steve Kirby.

His comments come after the 32-year-old, who last week announced that he was leaving Gloucestershire, signed a three-year deal with the Tykes' LV=County Championship title rivals Somerset.

Although Yorkshire had not announced that they were in for Kirby, who made 48 first-class apperances for the county between 2001 and 2004, Regan has now confirmed that director of cricket Martyn Moxon had wanted to add the experienced bowler to the Tykes ranks.

He said: “Kirby is a quality player and we did register our official interest in him through a 28-day letter.”

“That does not mean that we were definitely going to sign him, but we were hoping to sit down and have a chat with him about what his expectations were.”

Those hopes will now be over though, after Kirby, who was a popular figure at Headingley despite being born across the Pennines in Bury, decided to stay in the south-west.

However, the club's attempt to sign him is further evidence of their want for an experienced fast-bowler for the squad next season.

The Tykes have already confirmed that they are looking to recruit an overseas paceman, while Ryan Sidebottom has also been linked with a return to Headingley.

Regan says a deal for the current England bowler is still a way off.

“There is no real update on the Ryan situation.

“We have been given permission to speak to him, like many other counties, but at the moment we are no closer to knowing where he will be going after leaving Nottinghamshire.”