Justin Langer played 105 Test matches for Australia (BBC)

Justin Langer will return to Somerset for a fourth season after agreeing a new one-year contract with the county.

"It's a great vote of confidence in the team and the club," chief executive Richard Gould told BBC Radio Bristol.

"It's going to give us the stability and the platform to maintain the good momentum we've had recently."

But the 37-year-old former Australian Test batsman will miss the start of next season because of his commitments to the Indian Premier League.

The negotiations with Justin are never difficult because he's such a straightforward chap. There was always an indication he wanted to return Somerset chief executive Richard Gould

"He signed a three-year deal with them," added Gould. "As part of that, he said he had to return to us for the start of this season.

"He was true to his word so I know he will want to be true to his word back to the IPL.

"I suspect he'll miss three to four weeks.

"We'll be missing him, but we'd rather have him for that period than not at all."

Langer has been a major influence in Somerset's recent successes, leading the County to promotion in both the County Championship and the Pro 40 league last season. And Gould admits that it was always likely the Australian would return.

"The negotiations with Justin are never difficult because he's such a straightforward chap," said Gould. "There was always an indication he wanted to return."

Meanwhile, Andrew Caddick has pulled out of Somerset's squad for the Championship match with Durham after suffering a side strain.