Shane Watson, the Australian allrounder, is set to return to Hampshire for a mid-season spell in June and July. The club are still trying to cover the gaps left by Shane Warne's absence and Watson's stint will coincide with the Twenty20 Cup. He previously played for Hampshire in 2004 and 2005, helping them with the C&G Trophy in 2005.

"I'm definitely going back to Hampshire and I'm just a day away from signing," Watson told the Daily Echo on Friday.

However, it is believed that Watson is still hoping to find a place in the IPL so wouldn't be available for the first part of the season if Hampshire need to replace Shane Bond who is part of the ICL and is likely to be prevented from playing county cricket.