Worcestershire have given their England paceman Kabir Ali permission to speak to other counties after he rejected a new three year contract.

Kabir, who has one year left of his current deal, had asked permission to explore other options.

The Royals want to keep hold of the 28-year-old who has been dogged by injury problem during the current campaign. But Kabir has made it clear his future could lie elsewhere in what is the latest setback for the New Road club.

England Lions wicket-keeper Steve Davies and spinner Gareth Batty are leaving the county at the end of the season and joining Surrey on three year deals.

A Worcestershire spokesman said: "Worcestershire can confirm they have allowed Kabir Ali to talk to other counties for the period up to September 30.

"This follows a request from the player who still has one year to run on his existing contract.

"The club has also offered the player a new three-year contract which has been rejected at this time."

Kabir, who took 59 wickets last season, is expected to interest local rivals Warwickshire.

Opening batsman and England Lions regular Stephen Moore is also set to invoke a get-out clause in his contract once the county's relegation from Division One of the LV County Championship has been confirmed.