MOEEN Ali is likely to be handed more responsibility with the ball next season for Worcestershire.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes insists he is not looking to bring in an experienced off-spinner following the departure of Gareth Batty to Surrey, ending speculation he was set to sign 35-year-old Jason Brown after his release from Nottinghamshire.

The New Road chief is keen to develop the top-order batsman’s gentle off-breaks into a more potent threat.

“I look at Moeen and feel that bringing in an off-spinner would block his development,” Rhodes said.

“Young spinners need to be given the opportunity. That is why I would rather bring in a leg-break bowler or left-arm spinner.”

The director of cricket will need to see a vast improvement with both bat and ball from Moeen.

The 22-year-old, despite hitting two centuries, could only average 28.67 with the bat as he so often flattered to deceive.

The former Warwickshire youngster showed he can turn the ball on a spinners’ graveyard of a wicket at New Road but Rhodes will want a better return than seven wickets at 65.85.

The County boss is still searching to find replacements for the likes of Batty, Stephen Moore and Steve Davies.

Rhodes claims the quality on the market is not great, Matthew Hoggard aside, while there is still no progress on a wicketkeeper.

After a tentative enquiry for former England bowler Hoggard, he again ended his pursuit of the ex-Yorkshire seamer.

Rhodes said: “Matthew is a little bit expensive for us.

“I spoke to his agent after he was released by Yorkshire and it was too much for us.

“Apart from that, I don’t think there is a lot of quality out there.”

Ex-Middlesex seamer Alan Richardson is likely to be the only new face in the Worcestershire squad when the players report back to training on November 2.

“Hopefully, the players will have used this month to go away and fully recharge themselves ready for the new season,” Rhodes added.