WORCESTERSHIRE director of cricket Steve Rhodes has reaffirmed his support for Saeed Ajmal and is keen for him to return to New Road next season if he gets approval from the International Cricket Council for his remodelled bowling action.

Rhodes believes Ajmal would still be a potent member of the New Road attack even if the variety of delivery the Pakistan spinner is able to bowl has to be reduced in order to conform with ICC guidelines.

The 37-year-old picked up 63 wickets in nine LV= County Championship matches last season and played a significant role in Worcestershire gaining promotion to Division One.

He was banned from international cricket after his action was reported during the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Test in August and is currently working on remodelling his action with Saqlain Mushtaq after taking an informal biomechanic test at the ICC-approved centre at Loughborough.

Ajmal wants to gain official ICC approval so he can play in the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February.

Worcestershire would also need to obtain a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Pakistan Cricket Board for Ajmal to play for them in their 150th anniversary year.

Rhodes said: “You’ve got to be supportive of Saeed. He is almost public enemy number one at the moment and everyone was jumping on the bandwagon of him and losing out on playing international cricket because of his ban.

“But I know he has worked very hard. I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago when he came over to Loughborough.

“I went to see him and he has worked so hard in trying to get himself right.

“He has changed his action slightly to accommodate the problems and he is feeling very, very confident."

Rhodes added: “Would I still love to have him back? Very much so.

“We want to give him every opportunity to play for us in Division One should he pass his test. He loves Worcester.”