Bopara has been integral to Essex's one-day form

Essex chief executive David East says the club are close to wrapping up a deal to extend the contract of all-rounder Ravi Bopara.

Head coach Paul Grayson had already revealed the 25-year-old, who is currently with England, was considering the offer of a new two-year deal.

East told BBC Essex: "I'm confident that Ravi will stay with us, I've had a conversation with him about that.

"I'm hoping we will be able to complete that in the near future."

The news will come as a boost to Grayson's squad who are licking their wounds following defeat by Somerset in the Clydesdale Bank 40 semi-final and suffering relegation back to the County Championship Division Two.

We've made official enquiries about Owais' availability and desire to come to Essex we have not progressed it any further than that Essex chief executive David East

However East has remained cautious on the possibility of signing former England batsman Owais Shah.

The 31-year-old has been released by Middlesex and Grayson signalled his club's interest in the player.

But East said: "We've expressed an interest along with a number of other counties.

"We've made official enquiries about Owais' availability and desire to come to Essex, we have not progressed it any further than that.

"We'll be discussing the matter internally over the next week or so."

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