PACEMAN Steffan Jones has re-joined Somerset on a three-year contract.

The club have also recruited two other players who will be joining in the wake of a highly disappointing season at the County Ground.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter, who played for South Africa in the Under 19 World Cup earlier this year and who has already scored two centuries for Somerset 2nds this season has put pen to paper.

As has 21-year-old fast bowler Mark Turner from Durham, who has played three championship matches for the North-East county.

Meanwhile, Jones, 32, joined Somerset in 1997 and enjoyed his best season in 2001, helping the county to the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy second place in the county championship.

During that season, he took 59 wickets at a cost of 34 runs each to earn himself his county cap.

Over the next two seasons Jones suffered some niggling injuries and struggled to hold down a first place. So, when an opportunity came along to join Northamptonshire he reluctantly packed his bag and departed.

Things didn't work out for Jones at Northants and he left to join nearby Derbyshire for 2006 where he has enjoyed a change of fortunes where his bowling showed renewed enthusiasm.

So far this season he has taken 59 wickets at an average of less than 30.

Jones has made no secret of the fact that he wanted to return to Taunton. He has never sold the home he set up with his Taunton-born wife Alex, who is expecting their first child in November.

"I had never given up hope I might get back to join Somerset and now I have got my opportunity to bowl at my favourite ground and take wickets for my favourite county," he said.

"I am sorry to be leaving Derbyshire because I have become good friends with Graeme Welch and the coach Dave Houghton, but they understand that I want to go back home to my adopted county."

Commenting on Jones' return, Somerset skipper Ian Blackwell said: "It's great news that Steffan Jones is coming back to join us at Somerset.

"He is a quality bowler and someone who is happy to bowl 25 to 30 overs in a day which is what he thrives on. He will be a great asset to us and will be used as a third seamer."