WORCESTERSHIRE will to-day announce that batting legend Graeme Hick has been offered a one-year extension to his playing contract.

Speculation has been rife all season as to whether 40-year-old Hick would consider playing on after this season and if he did, whether the club would renew his contract, which expires at the end of this term.

But I understand Hick's form this year -- he has scored 598 first-class runs at an average of just over 37, including a top score of 182 -- has convinced the New Road board he deserves another contract.

In the wake of Worcester-shire approaching Warwick-shire to discuss a contract with promising young batsman Moeen Ali, there had been a lot of talk that the England Under 19 star was being lined up as a replacement for Hick.

However, with the veteran seemingly on the verge of putting pen to paper on a new deal -- which will see him enter his 24th campaign for the County -- Moeen, should he switch allegiances, would be struggling to find a place in the Worcestershire batting line up.

Lack of opportunities appear to be the reason behind Moeen's apparent discontent at Edgbaston and, even with Hick on board for another season, the youngster would still be further up the pecking order at New Road than he would with Warwickshire.

Worcestershire's chief executive Mark Newton refused to be drawn on the speculation, but did confirm the club were preparing to make a statement regarding Hick's future today.

As an indication that he still merits his place in the side despite his advancing years, Hick picked up the player-of-the-month award for July during yesterday's match against the touring West Indies `A' side.

An injury to the webbing between his fingers ruled the former England man out of the game, which Worcester-shire won by nine runs in the last over.