West Indies batting legend Brian Lara is reportedly in talks with English county side Surrey as he mulls coming out of retirement to play in this season's new county Twenty20 competition.

"We have been in discussion with Brian regarding his possible involvement with the club," a Surrey spokesman told the BBC. "However we have no further comment to make at this stage."

Lara, who has not played competitive cricket for two years, trained at the Oval on Monday and Surrey are very hopeful he will play in the Friends Provident T20 which starts in June.

Surrey are reportedly planning to draw up a short-term contract for Lara, who is understood to be seeking a contract in next year's Indian Premier League (IPL).

Lara, who has very little T20 experience, played and captained the Mumbai Champs in the rebel Indian Cricket League two years ago.

Surrey have already signed Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds for the domestic English Twenty20 competition, and Indian legspinner Piyush Chawla.

A possible signing by Surrey should help to raise the profile of England's Twenty20 competition after plans to create a Premier League, known as P20, failed.