DARREN Gough could make a spectacular return to Essex.

The former England fast bowler has announced his retirement from all cricket this week, but may yet decide to play in next season’s Twenty20 Cup.

With that in mind Essex first-team coach Paul Grayson, who is one of Gough’s best friends after the pair played together for Yorkshire, Essex and England, has had a word in his old mate’s ear about returning to the Ford County Ground.

Grayson and Gough, who acted as best man at each other’s weddings, spoke at the 38-year-old’s retirement dinner in Leeds on Monday evening.

And the former believes there is a chance he may be able to talk Gough, who won two one-day titles during his three year stay with Essex between 2004 and 2006, into making the long journey south for a second time.

“All good things come to an end but never say never with Goughie,” Grayson told our sister paper the Basildon Echo.

“I was trying to talk him into a Twenty20 contract with us but there’s nothing concrete.Wait and see.

“If I was a betting man I would say there’s a one per cent chance of him coming out of retirement.”

Should Gough return to Chelmsford, Grayson hopes he can have the same impact he had during his first stint with the county.

The Barnsley-born seamer is credited for playing an influential role in Essex’s one-day successes and also inspiring the county’s young players on to greater things.

“That was a move that I instigated so it was nice that he enjoyed his time at the club,” explained a proud Grayson.

“He thanked the club for how we helped to get his fitness levels back up and he, in turn, brought a lot of charisma and passion with him.

“Younger players such as Ryan ten Doeschate, Mark Pettini and James Foster learned a lot from him and the legacy he left us with was helping to create a winning culture that has stayed with those players.

“Don’t be fooled into thinking that Goughie was always smiling in the dressing room – if he wasn’t moaning he wasn’t happy – but he was a terrific bloke and friend.”

Gough, who played 58 Tests and 159 One-Day Internationals for England, is now expected to take up a career in the media.