The Director of Cricket was frustrated at the weekend when Aussieall-rounder Andrew Symonds rejected the chance to aid our Championshiptitle bid throughout August, while Fleming is involved in New Zealand'stour of Zimbabwe.

But Newell already had three other targets in mind and one of those was27-year-old Younis, an established Test star with nine centuries in 37appearances for Pakistan.

Said Newell: "We have verbally agreed a deal with Younis and his agent and I'm expecting the loose ends to be tied up on Friday.

"It's vital that we get a quality replacement for Stephen if we are tostay in contention for the title and I'm confident that Younis fits thebill.

"He has a tremendous recent record and everyone I've spoken to about him has given him a good character reference."