Lancashire coach Peter Moores believes Andrea Agathagelou has the ability to force his way into the Red Rose first team next season.

The South African is hoping to return to Lancashire League side Rishton next year after an impressive debut season as pro at Blackburn Road.

But he also turned heads at Old Trafford, finishing second leading run-scorer in Lancashire second XI’s Championship campaign as well as helping them to the final of the Second XI Trophy while on a 12-month scholarship at the club.

And, with financial restrictions meaning Lancashire are unlikely to add to their squad over the winter and look certain not to have an overseas player next year, Moores feels Agathagelou could secure a place in the Red Rose side.

"He’s an exciting cricketer and an exciting individual," said the former England coach. "When you speak to him, he’s very confident. Not in an arrogant way but in a very focused and driven way.

"He had a tough start when he first came over last season because he had to get used to English conditions with the ball moving around a bit more.

"Then he found his feet and some form followed. Like all really good players, he cashed in.

"He was hungry to get runs and get runs again and then get runs again.

"He finished in the second team very strongly, getting runs in big games.

"He’s young, and he’ll make mistakes, but he looks like he’s made of the right stuff. He’s got a clear vision of what he wants, he’s very positive and he’s got talent.

"It’s a great chance for him to come over with a view that if he does well, he could possibly push himself into first team cricket."

Although mainly a batsman, Agathagelou can also bowl leg-spin and keep wicket which, with Gareth Cross now the only senior wicketkeeper at Old Trafford following the departure of Luke Sutton, could come in useful.

Former South African Under-19 player Agathagelou, who turned 21 earlier this month, has continued his good form back at home this winter and scored a half-century in a first-class game for North West against Eastern Province last week.

Meanwhile Rishton all-rounder John Seedle has joined Ribblesdale League side Settle as player-coach for next season.

Seedle has had three spells at Blackburn Road – and also spent time at Accrington and Church – and has been at Rishton since 2006 for his latest time. He was part of the title-winning team in 2007.