The England and Wales Cricket Board are thought to be close to accepting tightened security arrangements for the resumption of the tour to India - but Hampshire’s Dominic Cork claims the side are “traumatised” and as many as six of Peter Moores’ squad will not return.

The ECB have been locked in talks surrounding the future of the two-Test tour, which was put in doubt by the team’s departure on Saturday to reassess the situation following the campaign of terror on Mumbai’s leading landmarks.

The ECB are thought to be close to agreeing a revised itinerary – including a stop-off and warm-up match in Abu Dhabi – pending Reg Dickason’s security assessment.

But former England player Cork insisted a host of unnamed key players are unwilling to travel in the current climate.

''I know of at least five or six players who are going to turn their backs on England,'' said the all-rounder.

''Those I've spoken to are traumatised. What they saw on television was ten times worse than what was shown here.

''I am not sure about the captain (Kevin Pietersen). I know of certain players who are going to put their families first.

''If one doesn't go, they all shouldn't go. They should make a stand and say 'it's not safe for us to be there','' he added.

Talks involving the ECB, the BCCI and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will continue today, with ECB chairman Giles Clarke yesterday insisting significant strides had already been taken.

''A lot of progress has been made and some extremely good and constructive meetings have taken place,'' confirmed ECB chairman Giles Clarke.

''Reg Dickason is going to Chennai and we are awaiting his reports.

''The security advice we are receiving has not changed and we are getting a lot of help and co-operation from everyone in India.

''The Board of Control for Cricket in India are doing all it can to facilitate the tour but we must do what we have to do properly and thoroughly. It is what every England player wants and deserves.''

Among the measures England are thought to have demanded from the BCCI has been the introduction of a 20-man commando force at every venue while they also want an evacuation procedure put in place should there be any untoward incidents.

But for all England's concerns, there is a desire to continue with the tour and help India recover from the events of the last week in Mumbai, particularly as Australia continued with the Ashes tour three years ago after the bombings in London.

Clarke stressed: ''Under no circumstances will we allow our cricket to be dictated to by terrorists.

''India is an enormous country and there are large parts of it that have never seen terrorist activity. In 2005 the Aussies were sensible and we are doing the same here.''

England's concerns about their return to India have been mirrored by international player representatives, who are poised to discuss the issue of player safety at their executive meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between December 9 and 12.

The issue is now top of the agenda at the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) meeting with chief executive Tim May admitting: ''We're obviously concerned about the situation.

''On the other hand we are also concerned about the health of the game, both in places like Pakistan and India, and the rest of the world.''