LANCASHIRE’S overseas plans are up in the air less than three weeks before the new county season after Australia handed Peter Siddle a surprise Test recall for series against West Indies and England.

Ashley Giles had seemingly pulled off a coup by capturing the opening bowler for the first 12 matches of the LV= County Championship campaign, taking them through until the end of July.

With Australia heavily stocked with fast bowlers at present and the 30-year-old having not played a Test match since early December, he was expected to miss out on their winter tours to the Caribbean from May 30 and England from June 25.

But an injury to James Pattinson and Ryan Harris’s unavailability for the Caribbean due to paternity leave has paved the way for Siddle’s recall.

Although Red Rose cricket director and head coach Giles remains hopeful Siddle will be made available for the first four Championship matches, starting at Derby on April 19, it still leaves the club with a problem.

“It is great news for Peter to be back in that squad,” said Giles, who today flies back to Manchester from Sri Lanka, where Lancashire have been on pre-season tour.

“But it is a surprise, because we thought we would have him for most of the summer. It is disappointing.

“When you sign good players, there is a chance of this happening. We always knew it was a slight risk, but not this big a risk. But good luck to him.

“We are hoping we can still start the season with him and have him for four games upfront. Then we will have to look for a replacement after that.

“It is not ideal, and it is a bit of a nightmare to be honest. But at least in the short term, if we can start the season with him, it gives us some breathing space to find someone else.

“Cricket Australia will have to clear that. The sooner we get the nod on it, the sooner we can plan ahead.

“It throws a lot of stuff up in the air. Along with Tom Smith and the rest of the management, we will have to sit down and see what is best for the rest of the season, including for the T20.”

At least Lancashire have first-team coach Glen Chapple up their sleeve, with the 41-year-old happy to play if required.