WORCESTERSHIRE director of cricket Steve Rhodes has put a brave face on a second County star wanting away from New Road.

England off-spinner Gareth Batty has requested permission to speak to other counties — with bitter rivals Warwickshire heading the queue for his signature.

The 31-year-old, who is also being courted by Notting-hamshire, Sussex, Surrey and Middlesex, has joined international colleague Steve Davies in eyeing a move out of Worcestershire.

England Lion Davies’ future appears to lie away from New Road after he refused to sign a new contract, despite the County meeting all his demands, and Surrey gave 28 days’ notice of approach to speak to the player.

Now it seems Rhodes will have to face up to losing an-other senior pro with Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles ready to pounce.

The England selector admitted: “When a player of Gareth’s quality becomes available, you have to be interested.”

The New Road side’s vice-captain still has one year left to run on his contract, but Rhodes insists the saga will not have a negative impact within the New Road dressing room.

He said: “I wouldn’t have thought Gareth’s decision will cause a problem in the dressing room — Steve Davies has been in the same situation for a long time after asking permission to speak to other clubs.

“The other players will now be aware of the situation, but it won’t affect the away we go about trying to win games.

“It is Gareth’s call and he has our permission to seek an alternative club.”

Despite a poor season in Championship cricket, there seems to be plenty of interest in Batty, who played in England’s one-day international series against West Indies in the winter.

He was dropped for the four-day game with Warwickshire — which ended on Monday in a nine-wicket defeat — although his one-day form has been more encouraging and England have included him in their initial 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy.

Rhodes insists he will not give Batty the cold shoulder.

“We are a proud club with good traditions and we want players to be playing for us because they want to,” he added.

“Unfortunately for Gareth, his four-day form hasn’t been the greatest this season, but he’ll be back in to face Durham tomorrow in the Pro40.

“His numbers have been right up there for us in one-day cricket and I’d be a fool not to call upon him.”

New Road chief executive Mark Newton added: “The fact of the matter is Gareth came to see us early last week asking for permission to talk to other counties about his future. He can talk to whoever he wants to.

“Gareth freely admits his performances have not been great this year, so a change could be good for both parties. Whatever happens, he still has a part to play for Worcestershire.”