England stalwart Michael Atherton could announce his retirement from cricket this weekend.

The Lancashire opener has been told by selectors to decide whether he wants to go on England's winter tour to India and New Zealand.

Selectors want to know his decision before the end of the fourth Test at Headingley.

According to the Daily Mail, Atherton is set to use his column in a Sunday newspaper to declare his intention to quit at the end of the season.

Atherton, now 33, has been battling a serious back problem for many years.

He believes his long term future lies in the media.

Atherton has another year on his Lancashire contract and in June said he was happy to see out the remaining 12 months.