WHEN news broke last week that Steve Davies was stalling on a new three-year contract at Worcestershire, the County also announced Surrey were in the hunt for the talented youngster.

The New Road side had talks with the 23-year-old’s agent a few weeks and he told the club what it would take to keep him at Worcestershire.

Without hesitation, those demands were met — surely that would have been done and dusted? But no, Davies has decided he wants to keep his options open.

As well as Surrey making a 28-day approach for the England keeper, Davies has asked for 28 days’ notice so that he can talk to any county he wishes without going through Worcestershire.

“I’m a bit disappointed with Steven, not making a decision for us,” Martyn Price, the New Road chairman, said. “I think that he will be making a grave mistake to go and play for, say, Surrey.

“It is a soulless place down there and I think that he would be a fish out of water.

“I have told him that. I’m going to visit his parents and desperately try to keep him with Worcestershire.”

With Davies looking to allow himself to speak to other counties without going through the club, it doesn’t look too good for the Bromsgrove-born wicketkeeper being at New Road next season.

During the Stephen Moore saga last year, all the counties had to go through the club — not this time though.

While Davies has been working with a former England wicketkeeper in Steve Rhodes, the chance to work alongside one of the country’s best-ever keeper-batsmen in Alec Stewart might just sway him towards the Brit Oval.

However, there are also rumours that Hampshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire are ready to make a move for the youngster.