West Indies in talks with coach Gibson

Gibson has been overseeing England's attack since 2007, when he replaced Kevin Shine, but is keen to test himself in a more senior role.

An ECB spokesman yesterday confirmed that an approach from the West Indies Cricket Board had been received, while Gibson himself had asked his employers for permission to speak to them.

That has been granted and Gibson now looks unlikely to play a part in England's forthcoming trip to Dubai and Bangladesh.

Gibson was born in Barbados and represented the West Indies in two Test matches – one in 1995 and one in 1999 – as well as 15 one-day internationals.

But he enjoyed an Indian summer in his late 30s culminating in two prolific seasons with Durham, during which time he became the first bowler in county cricket to take all 10 wickets in an innings since 1994.

The 40-year-old was asked to fill in for temporary fast bowling consultant Allan Donald in September 2007 and made a good enough impression to be installed on a permanent basis soon after.

Now Shine, who is currently employed by the ECB at their National Cricket Centre in Loughborough, could be asked to travel with England on their forthcoming tours.