FORMER Somerset wicketkeeper, Jos Buttler is set to attract plenty of attention in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) auction after reportedly signing registration papers for the competition over the weekend.

Buttler, who attended King’s College in Taunton, is likely to be a star attraction at the auction on February 8, with the Telegraph reporting three franchises are targeting the 25-year-old.

The Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians are all thought to be interested and could spark a bidding war for Buttler.

The IPL will run from April 8 to May 29, which means Buttler will miss the beginning of the county season – but England head coach, Trevor Bayliss says he fully supports his decision, provided he is not recalled to the Test team, between now and then.

Bayliss said: "It's something we've spoken about.

“If he's in the Test team he'll be playing Test cricket for England...(but) if the opportunity arises, he's not in the Test team and that IPL window is a possibility I'd be all for it."