SOMERSET head coach Jason Kerr has said the club are “very unlikely” to sign a second overseas player until at least the latter part of the Vitality Blast group stage.

Somerset begin their campaign with a local derby against Gloucestershire in Taunton tomorrow (Friday) before hosting Kent on Sunday.

New Zealand international Corey Anderson will be available for both, but he is so far the sole overseas addition for the tournament.

The issue has been complicated by the club’s desire to sign a separate overseas player as a replacement for Matt Renshaw in County Championship matches, with Somerset’s trip to Worcestershire falling part way through the Blast group stage.

Kerr told the County Gazette: “We are looking but it is very unlikely, certainly for the first five games before Worcester.

“I am happy with the depth in our squad and if we were to bring anyone in they would have to be world class.

“At the moment there is no-one available for these first few matches who fits that bill.”

Somerset’s T20 side are to be led by Lewis Gregory, whose future at the club beyond this season remains uncertain.

The 26-year-old all-rounder is subject to offers from four other counties, while a new Somerset contract remains on the table.

When asked whether Gregory had been affected by the speculation, Kerr said: “Not at all. Lewis is the same as ever, though he obviously has a lot to think about.

“A decision sooner rather than later would help both parties as we need to know the situation and be able to plan for the future.

"He has a decision to make and, whichever way it goes, we will respect that decision."

Gregory is set to bat in the middle order rather than continuing with the pinch-hitting opening role he took on during last summer’s T20 campaign.

“Lewis is a dynamic cricketer whose job with the bat will be to help us to big scores or see us home from that role in the middle order,” Kerr said.

“I think the added responsibility of the captaincy will bring out the best in him.”

Somerset will again be backed by large crowds during this summer’s T20 campaign, with Friday’s derby against Gloucestershire sold out.

“It’s exciting - for me, there is nothing better than T20 cricket in Taunton,” Kerr said.

“The players are all really looking forward to getting started and hopefully we can get the right results this weekend.

“We are hoping for good surfaces at Taunton. Our game will be based on imposing ourselves on the opposition and the best way to do that is with big scores.”

Somerset are likely to be without seamers Craig Overton (side) and Tim Groenewald (groin) against Gloucestershire, with Jack Leach also ruled out.

Max Waller, Roelof van der Merwe and Dom Bess are to battle it out for the spin slots, though Kerr did not rule out playing all three in the same side if conditions suit.