By Kevin Howells BBC Radio Five Live reporter

Yorkshire say former captain Anthony McGrath could still play an important part in the club's future.

And the Tykes have issued a reminder that while he remains registered with the club he cannot sign elsewhere.

The club were considering legal action against the player last month when he announced he was leaving.

But chief executive Stewart Regan said: "There is a chance of reconciliation and with two and half months to the new season hope is not lost."

The club has lost two of its top batsmen in Darren Lehmann and Michael Lumb but Regan has signed overseas stars Jacques Rudolph and Younis Khan.

Since the end of last season, director of cricket David Byas has left the club, along with assistant coach Richard Blakey.

But experienced pair Craig White and Jason Gillespie have stayed and the county is confident of the talents of younger players such as Joe Sayers, Andrew Gale, Adam Lyth and academy player Greg Wood.

Regan added: "Now Anthony can see the sort of moves the club have already made, along with others to come such as a new director of cricket.

"Perhaps he will see that some of the areas he was concerned with in 2006 are now in the past."

The club appeared to have exhausted all avenues in trying to persuade the 31-year-old to stay, including an offer of the captaincy and an improved package of personal terms.

There remains an outside chance that old boy Darren Gough will sign for the county, despite assurances from his agent and Essex that he will sign a new contract to keep him at Chelmsford.

Regan said board member Geoffrey Boycott believes Rudolph - controversially signed under Kolpak terms - is one of the top batsman in South Africa.

He feels Rudolph could have a major impact on the younger players at the club.

More than 30 applications have been received for the role of director of professional cricket.