HAMPSHIRE are expected to name their overseas replacements for Shane Warne and Simon Katich by the end of this week.

Katich, who is in Australia's one-day and Test squads, will be unavailable from the beginning of June until mid-September, when he will return to the Rose Bowl for the last two games in both the totesport National League and the county championship.

Captain Warne will be unavailable for two months between mid-July and mid-September but has revealed that the county hope to have two locum overseas players lined up by Friday.

He said: "We've been speaking to a few guys, a couple have taken up other offers but there are still a few targets and we'll hopefully sort that out by the middle of the week, or at the latest by the end of the week."

Shane Watson replaced Warne briefly last July and Hampshire are hoping he does so again as he is in Australia's one-day squad - but not the Ashes party.

Warne added: "Watson is definitely in the mix, it's just whether he wants to come back after the one-dayers or go home.

"It will depend on how he's bowling and how his back is but I know he loves the place and the guys."

Hampshire have also been linked with several Australian players not involved against England this summer - including former Yorkshire batsman Darren Lehmann.

And Warne understands the benefits of replacing himself and Katich with two more Australians.

He added: "We've got the best domestic cricket in the world and are the number one side in both forms of the games, so if you can get Australian players playing here they will bring a good work ethic, a bit of spunk and a never-say-die attitude.

"They're pretty positive in everything they do, the way they approach batting, bowling and fielding and the game in general."