Hampshire manager Paul Terry has revealed that the futures of the county's out-of-contract players will be decided by next week.

Veteran off-spinner Shaun Udal is the most high-profile of the Hampshire players in limbo and he was dropped yesterday morning for the crucial game against Kent at the Rose Bowl.

In the absence of an overseas strike bowler and the England pair of Chris Tremlett and Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shane Warne decided on a third young seamer in David Balcombe instead of an experienced second spinner.

Udal was left to carry out 12th man duties and watch from the balcony.

Like Udal, Billy Taylor is a local player who continues to impress in Hampshire's one-day team but whose future with his home county is in the balance.

Taylor was overlooked again yesterday as Hampshire favoured Balcombe.

The 30-year is also behind David Griffiths in the Championship pecking order at an age when he should be bowling regularly.

An end-of-season loan move to Northants or Kent was in the offing. That came to nothing but it would seem that Taylor's days at the Rose Bowl are numbered.

If he does leave, a return to Sussex cannot be ruled out.

Also out of contract is off-spinning all rounder Greg Lamb but more is likely to be revealed by the time Hampshire begin their final Championship match against Yorkshire next Wednesday.

Terry said: "You never make too many friends at this time of year but we'll make an announcement soon, probably early next week".

When asked about Udal's future on Sunday, Warne said: "That will be up to the club to decide and what Shaggy wants to do. It's up to him.

"Whatever he wants to do, he wants to do. I'll leave that decision to him."