SURREY have joined the race to sign Gloucestershire vice-captain Alex Gidman.

Following on from Warwickshire's 28-day approach for the all-rounder, Surrey have asked to speak to Gidman with a view to recruiting him for next season.

The 26-year-old has revealed he has already spoken to Warwickshire's director of cricket Ashley Giles, but stressed the likely return of John Bracewell as Gloucestershire's head coach in 2009 could yet tempt him to remain in Bristol.

“I'm absolutely flattered that Ashley Giles is interested in signing me, but at the same time it looks like John Bracewell will be coming back and that's a big incentive to stay,” said Gidman.

“Surrey have come in for me since Warwickshire, and again it's very flattering to be approached by a big club who play at a Test ground. It's something I have to give some serious thought to – if everything was dandy I would have signed my life away (at Gloucestershire) year after year.

“I wanted to be in the position where I could talk to other clubs and I've been quite open about that.”

Gidman's overall form has dipped since Warwickshire declared their interest in him and team-mate Steve Kirby last month, although he managed a half-century and took two wickets in his last Championship outing at Northampton.

He insists speculation about his future has not proved to be a distraction.

“I'm very aware that I haven't had the best of years up to now but I don't think it's got anything to do with other counties showing an interest in me,” he said. “Over my career I've always had lulls during a season and consistency is what I'm striving for.”

Gloucestershire begin their Twenty20 Cup campaign at Worcestershire tomorrow, a competition now with added significance.

The two finalists will be invited to take part in the lucrative international Champions League in September, while the lure of the Indian Premier League continues to be the subject of debate.

Gidman is worried that the likely expansion of Twenty20 in England could harm the four-day County Championship.

“I'm wary about four-day cricket getting hurt by Twenty20 eventually, whether that's in a couple of years or further down the line,” he said.

“It's very easy for me to say, as there aren't the big financial rewards at stake for me personally as for some of the senior England players, but it worries me that county cricket will take a hit,” he said.

“Deep down I think players aspire to be Test cricketers rather than play Twenty20, although we're only human and the sums being talked about make it very attractive.

“I would rather see less 50-over or 40-over cricket than cut back the four-day game.”