Shane Warne believes that Hampshire only need to make one signing before the next county season - an overseas player.

Warne has already spoken to Simon Katich, Michael Clake and Shane Watson with a view to one of the trio returning to the Rose Bowl with him next season.

But he does not believe that Hampshire need to sign another England-qualified player.

Last year Michael Carberry was signed from Kent, before that Kevin Pietersen and Richard Logan arrived from Nottinghamshire and Michael Brown was signed ahead of Warne's first season as captain in 2004.

But Warne reckons he now has a squad good enough to win the championship.

He said: "The squad doesn't need any additions other than another overseas player, we've got most spots covered.

"Michael Carberry has had a great year and has been a good signing, we know Michael Brown is an experienced opener, Greg Lamb can spin it and bat in the middle order and James Tomlinson and Billy Taylor are good back-up fast bowlers.

"It's hard to be a quick bowler and get regular opportunities at our club because we generally like to play two spinners and when we have Dimi Mascarenhas and Sean Ervine we have a well-balanced side.

"There might be times next year when one of the all rounders or a spinner misses out to play an extra quick, it depends on the other overseas player and whether that's a Shane Watson-type who can also bowl."

Warne is likely to miss up to three weeks of next season as Australia have two Tests scheduled against Zimbabwe in June and July.

If the second overseas player is a regular in Australia's one-day side, he will miss the first fortnight of the county season if Australia reach the World Cup final, which will be played on April 28th.

Australia also play three one-day internationals during their tour of Zimbabwe but at this stage have no other fixtures during the course of the English domestic season.

Read Shane Warne's review of the 2006 county season in today's Daily Echo.