RISHTON are trying to sign Lachlan Stevens as a replacement for their injured professional Vernon Philander.

The SponsorBank Lancashire League club have made an offer to the Australian after Philander's contract was terminated by mutual consent this week.

Now skipper Peter Sleep is hoping for a positive response from the 27-year-old, who was part of the Queensland team that won the Pura Cup last season.

"We took the decision to part company with Vernon because it could have got to the end of July before we found out if he was coing back or not, which is no good to us, so we're now trying to sign Lachlan instead," said Sleep.

"At the moment, we're waiting on the paperwork, but hopefully something could get sorted out later this week."

Also, Colne are set to be without their paid man Mahendra Nagamootoo, who is heading back to Guyana to take part in a 20.20 competition and will miss the whole of July.