STEVE Rhodes failed to defuse speculation that Australia's Justin Langer may join Worcestershire for 2006.

With a world-class batsman and a strike bowler at the top of County's priorities, opener Langer is regarded as an ideal choice and has been linked with a move to New Road.

The 34-year-old was among Australia's few star performers this summer as his country relinquished the Ashes to England at the Brit Oval on Monday evening.

He topped the batting averages for Ricky Ponting's side, leading the scoring with 394 runs at 43.77, and fired 105 in the final drawn Test at the Brit Oval.

The South Australian also boasts excellent pedigree in county cricket following his 1998 to 2000 stint at Middlesex.

At Lord's the left-hander piled up just shy of 4,000 first-class runs to average 61.04 in the three-year spell.

If Langer was recruited, he could play almost the entire 2006 season, unlike Worcestershire's current opener Chris Gayle.

Australia are not scheduled to face international cricket until a September tour to Zimbabwe, while West Indies face home Test series against Zimbabwe and India next April and May.

Rhodes refused to comment on whether Langer had entered discussions with Worcestershire.

But the diminutive Aussie is viewed by the County head-coach as the ideal opening batsman that his side require to strengthen the top order.

"Justin is a terrific opening batsman," said Rhodes. "Previously, he has done very well in county cricket.

"He's been a high-class cricketer for a number of years in the Australian side and had a decent summer in the Ashes.

"We are going to be in the market for an overseas opening batsmen and Justin is the type of cricketer that we would be after."

A world-class overseas strike bowler is also on the County's wish-list.

Former New Road favourite Glenn McGrath was reported as saying he would like to return to Worcestershire earlier this summer, but it is now unclear if the veteran paceman still fancies another gruelling season-long stint in county cricket.

Rhodes admits the County must be patient in their pursuit of overseas players, but he would prefer to wrap up the club's signings in plenty of time.

He added: "Last season, it took us a long time to nail down our overseas players.

"Every club wants to sign good overseas players and get them wrapped up early. But it takes time.

"The thing with overseas players is that there's no guarantee when any person can sign. It can be frustrating. But fingers crossed, we can sort it out early on."