WORCESTERSHIRE have held talks with England Ashes hero Simon Jones - but the New Road outfit insist they have not yet offered the out-of-contract Glamorgan star a deal for the 2008 campaign.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes met with the pace bowler at New Road to discuss the 28-year-old's future, but no formal offer was made to the Welshman.

Jones has seen his career wrecked by serious knee injuries in the past two years which has seen him lose his England and Wales Cricket Board central contract.

The paceman has already held talks with Hampshire and is currently considering a new deal at Sophia Gardens, but Worcestershire feel if they could capture Jones it would be a major coup.

"We were given permission to speak to Simon by Matthew Maynard, Glamorgan's new cricket manager, and that is what we have done," said Rhodes who did not elaborate on the discussions.

"We are interested in him and we wouldn't have spoken to him if we weren't."

New Road chief executive Mark Newton believes that the weekend meeting was a positive one.

"Simon was a key part of England's 2005 Ashes-winning squad, but his medical history will mean that there must be an air of caution," said New-ton.

"Simon met with Steve Rhodes on Sunday. It was an exploratory meeting and I believe it was very positive.

"But we have not offered Simon anything yet. We are expecting some feedback from him shortly and then we will move on from there.

"It is no secret we need quality seam bowlers and Simon certainly is one of those and we feel that we have already made one quality signing in Gareth Andrew."

The 28-year-old has not played for Glamorgan since the end of August as he struggled to make a return to full fitness.

Jones in four LVCC Division Two matches took only one wicket this campaign and if Worcestershire do decide to offer the England man a deal for the new season, then the key will be keeping Jones fit and rebuilding the pace ace's confidence.

Meanwhile, the County are keeping a close eye on what happens with India's proposed tour to Zimbabwe next May.

Worcestershire are keen to bring back strike bowler Zaheer Khan for the start of the 2008 season.

However, that will only be possible if India do not tour the troubled African state as they are due to play two Tests and three one-day internationals in Zimbabwe.

"We would like to bring Zaheer back and we are prepared to wait to see what happens with India's tour to Zimbabwe," Newton added.

"Zimbabwe do not have Test status at present but that could change. The Indian government may not let their players go there or some players may decide not to tour, we will just have to wait and see.

"We feel that by waiting we are more likely to get the overseas player we want rather than rushing in and signing just anybody."