Hampshire manager Paul Terry has revealed that new overseas signing Imran Tahir is unlikely to play in tomorrow's Pro40 opener against the Nottinghamshire Outlaws.

But he is hoping Chris Tremlett bounces back from the disappointment of being overlooked by England in favour of Darren Pattinson by bowling at his best at Trent Bridge.

Tremlett, a perennial England 12th man, was leapfrogged into the side by Pattinson for the second Test against South Africa at Headingley when Ryan Sidebottom failed a fitness test.

And Terry is backing him to bounce back by showing what he is capable of against Pattinson's Notts teammates.

Terry said: "Chris is not playing for us at Arundel because he had a minor knee injury on Wednesday but he is over that now so it was a little surprising he did not get a game after being called up by England.

"It is a bit out of the blue and I'm sure he's disappointed so hopefully that works in our favour."

Tahir, a Pakistani leg-spinner who played one Championship match for Yorkshire last season and three for Middlesex in 2003, has been registerd in time to play tomorrow.

But Terry said: "We're not sure just yet whether he will play on Sunday, he's more likely to make his debut in the Championship match against Lancashire at Old Trafford on Tuesday."

The signing of Tahir completes Hampshire's difficult search for an overseas player.

After being prevented from signing Sohail Tanvir and Piyush Chawla for different reasons by cricket's governing bodies in Pakistan and India, they have signed a 29-year-old they hope will prevent a return to the LV County Championship second division.

Tahir has played just 66 first-class games and taken an impressive 240 wickets at 26.29 - but has just one from four Championship matches at a cost of 337 runs.

Hampshire are confident he can improve that record.

Terry continued: "We've been looking for a bit of sparkle and the best cricketer we could get and Imran's been recommended to us by a few people, including Kent batsman Martin van Jaarsveld, who is his captain with the Titans in South Africa."

The England and Wales Cricket Board will replace the Pro40 league with a new Twenty20 tournament from 2010 but Terry views the competition as Hampshire's last chance of silverware this season.

He said: "We need to enjoy our cricket and this provides us with a fresh slate and the opportunity to do something."

Billy Taylor will be recalled for tomorrow's encounter after impressing during Hampshire's run to the semi-finals of the second XI Trophy.

6:50am Saturday 19th July 2008

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