STEVE Rhodes revealed that Worcestershire could sign their first overseas player for 2006 this week.

The County are locked in negotiations with several high-class cricketers and hope to conclude a deal over the next few days.

Among those to have spoken with New Road bosses include Australian Test opener Justin Langer, also believed to be a target for rivals Derbyshire.

"Negotiations are on-going, but we are close to signing our first overseas players," said County head coach Rhodes.

The County are hopeful of quickly tying up deals for both foreign players before the club begins winter fitness training next month.

A handful of players are representing England in the coming months, with captain Vikram Solanki jetting to Pakistan for the December one-day international series and Gareth Batty and Steve Davies joining the ECB academy in Loughborough.

But the remainder of Worcestershire's squad soon return to training, with twice weekly fitness sessions in November and December and three sessions from January to March.

Rhodes added: "We are all disappointed with the way the season ended and, for everybody, there is a lot of hard work needed to be done during the winter months. I'm sure putting the hard work in week in, week out, with the right personnel and with the right sort of balance, we can get this club moving in the right direction.

"It will be hard work for myself, Damian D'Oliveira and all the coaches. There will be a lot of one-to-one coaching on the fitness side of things."

Rhodes admits to relishing the task of guiding Worcestershire back to the top division in both the Frizzell County Championship and totesport League.

The 41-year-old wicketkeeper took charge of team affairs in June following former director of cricket Tom Moody's defection to be head coach of Sri Lanka.

It has not been the easiest of starts at the helm, but Rhodes believes he is capable of transforming the club's fortunes.

Rhodes added: "Last season was a learning curve for me and the players. It was not an ideal start to how I'd like to have taken over.

"But I've always approached my cricket in the same fashion. I'm more than prepared to do the hard graft to get some success.

"It's not been easy but, having said that, I've never shirked from responsibility."