Impressed with left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan's performance this season, county side Worcestershire is keen to retain the Indian bowler for the 2007 season.

Zaheer has captured 69 wickets, with career-best figures of 9-138 against Essex in June.

Considering the club's level of interest in Zaheer, it is unlikely that he will be kept out of the Worcestershire squad if he not chosen for India duty.

"I think he has enjoyed every minute, but quite understandably he has international ambitions. He wouldn't want to commit at this stage, so it is an ongoing thing," chief executive of the club Mark Newton was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"We will have to see if he gets picked for a one-day series in September with Australia and West Indies in Malaysia in terms of having a good idea of whether he is back in the fold or not. In the end we will have to wait for that and then have a conversation about next season."

Newton said the club was impressed that Zaheer did his duty properly and had no injury problems.

"He has produced the goods on the field and off the field he is a super bloke to deal with. He is no hassle, he does the job and hasn't had any injury problems. What more do you want from an overseas player?"

Twenty-seven-year old Zaheer has played 42 Tests and 107 one-day matches for India.