SOMERSET head coach Jason Kerr has said he was "surprised" to read reports linking Jos Buttler with a return to Somerset.

ESPNCricinfo reported over the weekend that a deal to bring the England star back to the club could be completed before the end of the season.

Kerr, who was academy director when Buttler was coming through the ranks in Taunton, said: "There is bound to be speculation as Jos is in the last year of his contract at Lancashire.

"But I was surprised to read it - it's the first I've heard of it."

Buttler left Somerset at the end of the 2013 season to further his international ambitions - Craig Kieswetter was first choice with the gloves at the time - and is now a key player for England in all three formats.

READ MORE: Buttler selected in England World Cup squad

Kerr went on to discuss the selection dilemmas facing the side ahead of their Royal London One-Day Cup opener against Kent in Taunton on Friday.

Johann Myburgh's retirement leaves a vacancy at the top of the order, while Peter Trego - on a white ball only contract - is available and spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach are eager to force their way into the white ball team.

Bess has played just one List A match for Somerset and Leach hasn't featured in one since 2013.

Kerr said: “We will see what the conditions are game by game.

“Last season we often went with just the one spinner and Max [Waller] and Roelof [van der Merwe] have bowled very well for us in 50-over cricket in the past.

“Dom has put in strong performances with the white ball in the UAE and for the 2nds, and Jack Leach was outstanding at the weekend – we are fortunate to have these options.

"We have someone in mind to open [the batting]. We have Azhar Ali available in this competition and where he bats will go a long way to determining the rest of the order."

Kerr and captain Tom Abell were due to finalise the squad this afternoon - see countygazette.co.uk/sport tomorrow for a full match preview.