NEGOTIATIONS to keep Kent’s former England all-rounder Mark Ealham at St Lawrence could be heading towards deadlock as club and player haggle over the terms of a new contract.

After 15 seasons with the club and having reached the end of his existing two-year agreement, Ealham is keen to sign a deal that will commit him to Canterbury until the end of his playing career.

But, having had their fingers burnt in the past by offering long-term deals to senior players, the club appear keen on enforcing its maximum two-year contract policy by offering Ealham a 12-month contract with negotiable rollover for a further year.

Ealham’s contract wrangle follows a much-improved season for the winner of 64 England one-day international caps.

The 34-year-old enjoyed his best summer with the bat since 1997, scoring 911 runs at an average of 36, while his 38 wickets costing 26 apiece represent his best bowling return for four years.

"This is the first offer and we are still in negotiations," said Ealham from Guernsey, where Kent are playing Somerset in an end of season charity match.

"Although I have turned down the first offer I am planning to see them once I get back. I’m hoping there can still be some flexibility on both sides and that we can reach an agreement that’s agreeable to everyone."

Once formally out of contract at the end of September Ealham, who has recently appointed an agent, would be in a position to talk to other counties within a matter of weeks.

Meanwhile, Ealham’s team-mates Matthew Walker and Ben Trott, are also mulling over contract offers this week as the county look to finalise their retained list having already released James Hewitt, Ian Flanagan and Matt Banes.

Kent’s chief executive Paul Millman said the club’s negotiations with Ealham would remain confidential, but added: "We have confirmed the release of Hewitt, Flanagan and Banes and all our other players are under contract or in negotiation with us regarding offers for 2004.

"As a club we chose to carry out these discussions privately and formally and what the players chose to say publicly is down to them."

As for possible team strengthening, it is believed Kent officials planned talks this week with Somerset seam bowler Steffan Jones and another medium-paced swing bowler.

Welsh-born Jones, a former Cambridge University team-mate of Ed Smith’s, took 59 first-class wickets in 2001 and has a first-class century to his credit.