DURHAM’S search for an overseas player is continuing after their bid to sign Australian rising star Phillip Hughes fell through.

Last year’s LV County Champions are on the look out for an overseas player to temporarily replace Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who will be unavailable until late June while he is on international duty with the West Indies.

Last week Durham coach Geoff Cook admitted that 20- year-old Hughes, who has risen to prominence following some impressive displays for Australian side New South Wales Blues this year, was included on a shortlist drawn up by the club.

The club’s chief executive David Harker revealed that he believes the Australia A International, who averages over 53 in first-class cricket, will reject Durham in favour of a move elsewhere.

Harker revealed: ‘‘We had an interest in Phillip Hughes but we understand that he is more likely to be joining another county.

‘‘He was of great interest to us but we understand that he is going to another county so we are re-visiting our options.’’ Younis Khan has also linked to the Riverside and, while Harker said no contact had been made with the Pakistan batsman, he did admit he was among the names being considered by the Durham hierarchy.

Harker admitted his attempts to find someone who is able to slot into Durham’s plans for just the first two and a half months of the season have been frustrating, but said that the club would not be rushed into making an appointment.

‘‘We need a batsman who is at the top of his game and a proven performer in these conditions, but those type of guys are invariably involved in their international set-ups and therefore there’s not many of that class about.

‘‘Either that or we could go for a younger guy that is in form and hungry.

‘‘We haven’t set up negotiations with anyone else but we have an idea of who we want,’’ he added.

‘‘It’s in everyone’s interests to sort out something sooner rather than later, but there is not many people in that position.

‘‘If we don’t find one then we will have to make do with what we have until Shiv is available to us.’’ Harker added that the club may decide to pick a specialist overseas Twenty20 player as well as four-day player before Chanderpaul returns.