JACK RUSSELL is close to agreeing a coaching role with Gloucestershire.

The former England wicket keeper who became a county legend throughout his 20-year playing career, is in talks with new Director of Cricket John Bracewell about joining his backroom staff, after Russell filled in as ‘team mentor’ last season.

Russell will scout for new players, and work with the wicket keepers and Academy players if he agrees to join.

Gloucestershire begin their County Championship Division Two campaign on Wednesday with a tough trip to Surrey.

It will be their first competitive match since the return of Bracewell (below) and Alex Gidman begins his reign as the new county captain.

Under Bracewell’s influence Gloucestershire are expected to make a marked improvement on last term, when they finished bottom of the County Championship without winning a single game.

There have been few changes in terms of playing personnel over the winter, with only New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin replacing Australian Marcus North as the overseas player.

Franklin, who enjoyed a brief spell with the county in 2004, should take the weight off frontline seam bowlers Jon Lewis and Steve Kirby.

Lewis should also benefit from no longer having the captaincy, which, along with other responsibilities he took on following Mark Alleyne’s departure as head coach, affected his performances last season.

Gloucestershire may look to use two spinners throughout the campaign with ex-England international Richard Dawson, Vickram Banerjee and Matthew Gitsham all vying for spots.

Bracewell has called for the much-vaunted batting line-up to start firing this season with the likes of Craig Spearman, Hamish Marshall, Gidman and Chris Taylor - in his benefit year with the county - amongst them.

Steve Adshead will battle it out with Steve Snell for the wicket keeping gloves again this season and could get the nod for the opening match following his 131 in the warm-up game against Oxford University.

Gloucestershire also beat Somerset convincingly by seven wickets in a pre-season friendly at Taunton last week.