Collingwood is likely to feature regularly for Durham in 2011

Durham head coach Geoff Cook is confident Paul Collingwood will play a big part for the county in this summer's domestic cricket season.

Collingwood retired from Test cricket in January and will be available for Durham after his World Cup and Indian Premier League participation.

"He's very keen to get involved," Cook told BBC Newcastle.

"He wants to take part in the Twenty20 competition for us and then he's keen to play four-day cricket."

Cook added: "It gives us a lot of options. In terms of his enthusiasm it's really encouraging, it's important when he does join us he's fit and fresh and wants to make a telling contribution."

The Shotley Bridge-born all-rounder bowed out on a high with England, ending a five year spell with an Ashes win in Australia.

His most recent appearance for Durham came against Lancashire in the County Championship in July 2010, and Collingwood marked his last Twenty20 appearance with a four-wicket haul against Leicestershire in June 2010.

Meanwhile Cook has revealed the county will not be re-signing the overseas duo of Ross Taylor and Albie Morkel for the forthcoming campaign.

New Zealand opener Taylor and South Africa all-rounder Morkel joined up with Durham for the Twenty20 campaign last term, following in the footsteps of players such as David Warner and Shivnarine Chanderpaul who have bolstered the ranks in recent years.

"They're not available, New Zealand are playing and Ross has taken on more responsibility so he doesn't want to burden his schedule, and Albie's wife is having a baby around that time so he can't come," Cook added.

"We're looking around, the budget of the club doesn't allow us to be too lavish, so we're looking to somebody that might bring something the team hasn't got.

"If we can find the right fellow then we will, but if we don't we've got plenty of skill within the dressing room now."

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