LANCASHIRE are targeting a seam bowler or seam bowling all-rounder as their main overseas player for next season.

Cricket director and head coach Ashley Giles has revealed that England left-arm quick Mark Footitt, last week picked for the forthcoming tour of South Africa, was a potential recruit before he decided to join Surrey from Derbyshire.

But Giles says the Red Rose are unlikely to pursue any other domestic signings this winter, instead concentrating on the capture of an overseas player.

Lancashire chatted to Australian Peter Siddle, who played for them at the start of last season, about a return to Emirates Old Trafford.

But the Test seamer wanted a longer contract than just one year and has since signed for Nottinghamshire for two years.

It will no doubt come as some surprise to Lancashire fans that the club are looking to replace Ashwell Prince from within.

Giles, however, is confident there is enough batting talent present at Lancashire to see them enjoy a successful 2016 in Division One.

“Siddle was an option for us,” said the former England left-arm spinner. “It was between us and Notts.

“He wanted a longer-term contract, and I’m not sure we are able to offer that right now (to our overseas player). We need to leave those options open for down the line.

“We are looking at overseas players. The plan at the moment is no domestic signings, though you never say never.

“We pursued Mark Foottit and he signed for Surrey. It was disappointing, but sometimes these things work out the right way.

“For us, it is important whoever we sign is a good person, a good cricketer, availability is also important to provide at least some consistency. We don't want four different overseas players in one season.

“An overseas bowler is probably the focus. Alviro Petersen should be our 1,000 run a season scorer. We know what Ashwell did, but other guys from this squad need to step into that role.

“We don't know what is happening with Tom Smith or even Jos Buttler at the moment.

“At some point these young guys need to come through and get experience. It can be precarious, but they need to be shown we trust them and we have faith in them.”

Members of the Lancashire squad are back in pre-season training as they build up to the start of the new season in April.