Hampshire manager Paul Terry will spend this weekend trying to find out whether Shane Warne intends to play one day international cricket again.

Warne's year-long ban for taking a banned diuretic before last year's World Cup expires on February 10 and he is set to captain Hampshire when the county season begins against Durham on April 16

Hampshire want Warne, pictured, to finish his playing days at the Rose Bowl and are confident that he will sign a new contract that will keep him at the club until the 2007 season

But his availability in 2004 could be restricted if, as he has hinted, he goes back on his decision to retire from one day international cricket to make up for lost time.

Australia have four Tests scheduled for the county season, two in Zimbabwe and two at home to Sri Lanka.

But five one day internationals in Zimbabwe in June and the ICC Champions Trophy in September could see him miss even more of the county season.

Jason Warne, Shane's brother and manager, said: "We're no closer to a decision (on a possible return to one day international cricket).

"He may not decide to play one dayers again but a comeback is something that has crossed his mind and he continues to think about."

Terry said: "Everyone's waiting to see what Warne decides in terms of playing one day internationals, but it also depends on what the Australia selectors decide.

"He's got to say that he'd like to play before he gets picked, he's giving nothing away at the moment.

"We're trying to contact each other at the moment and I hope to speak to him over the weekend, but he's keeping his options close to his chest.

"He will definitely get back into the Test side, it won't take much to persuade the selectors to recall him.

"But it might be difficult for him to get back into Australia's one day team because they are doing so well."

Warne is now training every day with Aussie Rules club St Kilda's in a bid to hit the ground running next month.

His return to competitive cricket could be for Victoria's second XI in the last three days of their four day match against Queensland, which begins on February 9.

The likelihood, though, is that his first game will be a one dayer against Tasmania at the MCG on February 14, followed by a Pura Cup (first class) game two days later.

He is hoping to be back in the Australia side within a few weeks of his return, with three Test matches against Sri Lanka lined up in March.

But he only has three weeks to make himself available for the one day leg of the Sri Lanka tour, which begins on February 20 with the first of five ODIs.

The squad for the Test matches will be named on February 20 and two of Warne's closest pals are backing him to make a successful return.

Leg spinning guru Terry Jenner, Warne's mentor for many years, is backing the 34-year-old to begin the twilight stage of his career in perfect condition.

Jenner said: "I'm sure he'll be fit and ready. Warnie's doing the work required to get down to his playing weight so I can't see it being any sort of problem."