THE Scottish Saltires are set to increase their pool of professional players when they announce a new round of contracts this week. They have one space to fill after Forfarshire�s Matty Parker was ordered to give up bowling due to a hip problem.

However, it�s understood three players could join the pro ranks, taking the total to nine. Watsonians� Ewan Chalmers, rated one of the most naturally gifted batsmen in the country, is a front-runner.

Others in the running include Arbroath all-rounder Calvin Burnett and 26-year-old former Durham leg-spinner Moneeb Iqbal, who impressed coaches after returning to the squad during the World T20 qualifiers in Dubai earlier this year.