WORCESTERSHIRE have offered an "extended trial" to Simon Hawk.

The 23-year-old batsman, who has been under the tutelage of former Lancashire and England opener Graeme Fowler at Durham University, will start next season at New Road.

Hawk -- who has played for Essex, Middlesex, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Surrey at second team level over the past three years -- has been handed a five-week trial.

"We'll have a look at the all-round package and if everything falls into place, we could offer him a contract until the end of the season," said Worcestershire's director of cricket Tom Moody.

"Simon has come on a couple of recommendations including Graeme Fowler and Gordon Lord who coaches with our academy.

"He's probably at the same sort of stage that Stephen Moore was when he came to us. Simon has second XI hundreds to his name but he's never really had anything concrete."

The County have also boosted their ranks with the signature of promising wicketkeeper Josh Knappett.

The 19-year-old has signed a summer contract with Moody's men to add extra depth to the squad.

Promising New Road 'keeper Steven Davies is expected to be away for some of the season with England Under 19 commitments so Knappett -- who also had a spell with Worcestershire last season, scoring a century for the seconds against Gloucestershire --has been handed a deal.

Knappett, who is at Oxford University, began his cricketing education at Middlesex before his spell at Worcestershire.

Next season will be the first in the post-Steve Rhodes era after the veteran's retirement. James Pipe and Davies look set to battle for the gloves with Knappett in reserve.