SOMERSET have admitted that their chances of bringing in an overseas player for the remainder of the season are "very unlikely".

In a club statement released this afternoon (Sunday), they said: "Somerset County Cricket Club have been committed to securing a world-class overseas player for the remainder of the 2017 season.

"Despite our continuous efforts, and notwithstanding a commitment to allocate whatever funding is necessary to attract an appropriately suitable player, unfortunately we’ve been unable to identify one.

"With the season nearing an end, players committed to other competitions around the world, i.e. the Caribbean Premier League, and a demanding international schedule, there are limited options for us to pursue.

"We will continue our efforts, but realistically it’s very unlikely we will recruit an Overseas Player for the remainder of 2017."

Having started the season with South African international Dean Elgar, and added New Zealander Corey Anderson for the T20 Blast, Somerset were on the verge of signing Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman before he was recalled by the PCB.

Despite the board then subsequently reversing that decision, Zaman will not be coming to Taunton as he would only have been available for one match.

Matthew Maynard had admitted after the loss to Kent in the T20 Blast on Saturday, August 12 that he had identified a replacement and expected news to follow shortly, but no such announcement was forthcoming and now the club look set to battle on with their existing squad.

They are currently 20 points adrift of safety going into tomorrow's County Championship clash with Essex - read the match preview here.