KENT all-rounder Mark Ealham could be on the verge of joining Nottinghamshire after failing to agree a new contract at the St Lawrence Ground.

There was speculation this week that the 34-year-old would put pen to paper on a three-year deal with his new club tomorrow.

Ealham, who is at the end of his existing two-year agreement, had been holding talks with Kent officials since the end of the season but a deal had still not been brokered this week.

The former England player wanted a contract that would keep him at the club, where he and his father Alan have jointly served since 1965, for the foreseeable future. But Kent have experienced problems in the past with giving long-term deals to senior players.

They would only offer Ealham terms for 12 months, with a negotiable rollover for further years, which the player turned down.

It is believed he was hoping for an improved offer this week but was ready to set his sights elsewhere.

Ealham, a winner of 64 England one-day international caps, has spent 15 years with the club and has just had a successful benefit season.

He showed improved performances last summer and enjoyed his best campaign with the bat since 1997 by scoring 911 runs at an average of 36.

And his 38 wickets, at 26 runs each, were his best bowling return for four years.

If Notts did land Ealham they would be hoping he could help spearhead a revival after a poor summer in which too many of their players under-performed.

They suffered county championship relegation, but are looking to bounce back into the top flight at the first attempt.

Ealham would be their third summer signing after experienced Worcestershire batsman Anurag Singh and Middlesex wicketkeeper David Alleyne.