Mal Loye made his debut for the MCC as a 16-year-old in 1989

Northants are keen take veteran Lancashire batsman Mal Loye back to Wantage Road.

Loye, who will turn 37 on the final day of this season, spent 12 seasons with his native county before arriving at Old Trafford in 2003.

But his Lancashire contract is up for renewal at the end of the season.

And Northants have confirmed on their website that they have made an official approach, asking permission to speak to Northampton-born Loye.

Northants coach David Capel was in the home team at Wantage Road when Loye made his first-class debut as an 18-year-old against Worcestershire in June 1991.

The former England one-day international played seven matches for his country in early 2007, as well as being part of four England 'A' tours.

But he has been more renowned in county cricket for his efforts in the first-class game, having hit 6,103 runs in 92 matches for Lancashire, at 46.94, on top of the 7,568 he made for Northants in 138 matches, at 37.46.

Loye gave no obvious clues as to his immediate future in an interview he gave to BBC Radio Lancashire on Saturday following the draw with Somerset at Taunton.

"Next week I'm pretty sure I'll have time to sit down with the club and settle things up with my future in the next few years.

"It's something that needs sorting out now, and I didn't want anything to affect the games we have now.

"But it will come out next week."

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