By Simon Mann Test Match Special commentator

The signing of Darren Gough received more attention than any other during the winter but Essex must know it was a gamble.

The sight of Gough should swell the crowds at Chelmsford

There have to be doubts about his ability to fulfil a three year contract - or even completing a full season.

His recall to the England one-day side is not the best news for the club. He will miss the start of the season and possibly more matches later in the summer.

Essex needed a strike bowler though as Ashley Cowan, who has never lived up to his initial promise in any case, missed last season because of injury, captain Ronnie Irani has been forced to give up bowling because of injury and Jon Dakin and Mohammed Akram have left the club.

The raw Scott Brant, one of he club's two overseas players, is back for a second season.

He took 36 wickets at nearly 30 last year before succumbing to injury, sound enough for a young, emerging bowler but more is required this time.

The club have recognised their deficiencies by recruiting Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria as their second overseas player.

ESSEX'S 2003 RECORD County Championship: 7th, Division One (relegated) National League: 3rd, Division One C&G Trophy: 4th round Twenty20 Cup: 5th in South Group

Off-spinner James Middlebrook was the leading wicket-taker last season with 52 but Kaneria will provide something extra for batsmen to deal with on the flat pitches at Chelmsford.

It is an enterprising signing and one that needs to pay off if Essex are to make an immediate return to the first division.

With Kaneria's arrival, Essex effectively have three overseas players.

Andy Flower, veteran of 63 Tests and 213 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe, is now classed as a home-qualified player to the annoyance of those who are concerned that counties are taking advantage of qualification rules to find a quick fix.

Flower has a British passport because his wife is English.

He was the lone Essex batsmen to pass 1,000 runs last season and was the leading run-scorer in a surprisingly good National League campaign.

Will Jefferson worked on his game in India over the winter

However, only six points covered third place and the final relegation spot and they will do well to finish as high as third again.

Encouragingly, Essex have a talented group of young players to support the experienced Flower, Irani and Gough - Nasser Hussain too when he is not playing for England.

Ravi Bopara and Alistair Cook played in the under-19 World Cup and Graham Napier spent the winter with the England Academy.

Will Jefferson has the ability to improve on last season's moderate figures, 20-year-old Mark Pettini is highly-regarded by Graham Gooch and England's decision to select Chris Read and Geraint Jones as their two wicket-keepers means Essex benefit from the availability of James Foster.

There is the makings of a promising team at Chelmsford but they are not strong enough yet, however, to be among the favourites to win a trophy.

The success of their Championship campaign will depend on the ability of Gough and their two overseas bowlers to set up victory opportunities.