Somerset's director of cricket Brian Rose has revealed that his county will make an enquiry regarding the availability of Ricky Ponting.
South African bowler Vernon Philander will be on Somerset's books for the first two months of the season, while Chris Gayleand Albie Morkel will make up the overseas contingent during their one-day campaign.
However, the team have yet to seal the services of an overseas player for the final two months of the 2012 season.
Should Ponting want a return to a club with which he had a brief spell in 2004, Rose has insisted that Somerset would be more than interested.
"Ricky Ponting had a great time for Somerset and everybody is delighted to see he's still interested in playing cricket," Rose told Sky Sports News.
"I know he's retired from one-day cricket but his first class career is still in operation. If at some stage both our interests come together then [signing Ponting] would be a possibility.
"I've made no direct contact with Ricky and I don't know his intentions, but now that that's come out Somerset will be enquiring about the situation."
Ponting, 37, has yet to comment on the speculation.
Liam Apicella
