SOMERSET head coach Jason Kerr has confirmed the club are “close” to signing a second T20 overseas player.

Jerome Taylor, who took 22 wickets for the county in last season's Blast, has already re-signed for this summer and the West Indian is soon to be joined by a fellow overseas signing.

Kerr said: “We have targeted someone, we know what we are looking for and we are just looking to finalise those details.

“Hopefully we can make an announcement sooner rather than later.”

The squad fly to Abu Dhabi on Friday morning to begin a pre-season tour featuring four 50-over matches as well as a three-day game against Warwickshire.

"We’ve worked really hard over the winter and the guys are itching to get out there and play," Kerr said.

“We’ve got a couple of hard days’ training beforehand and then we’ll get stuck into it.

“There is competition for places so if someone puts their hand up and performs consistently over that period we have to take notice of that.

“There is a balance between what we feel will be the side at the start of the season and creating opportunities for guys as well.

“We have to be open to giving guys opportunities and it’s up to them to put their hands up.

“There’s no doubt there are a couple of spaces up for grabs.

"Myself and Abes [Tom Abell] will have to have some difficult conversations moving into the season and have a look at how the side shapes up, finding the best XI against Kent.

"Make no bones about it, the intensity of the cricket in Abu Dhabi will be strong."

Dom Bess and Jack Leach, meanwhile, will be handed white ball opportunities in pre-season as they look to force their Royal London One-Day Cup claims.

Both have gone on record this winter saying they would consider a loan move in the competition if they are not in Somerset’s plans.

Kerr said: “They are both at different stages of their journeys and careers and we are very open to them playing white ball cricket.

“As far as the loan thing goes, we will address each individual case. No-one has come to us and said ‘we want to go on loan’, but if they do we will address it.”

Kerr will be operating with almost a fully fit squad in Abu Dhabi.

Craig Overton is back to full fitness having recovered from the injury which kept him out of the recent England Lions tour of India and the only player carrying a niggle is paceman Ollie Sale.