DURHAM have signed former West Indies Test paceman Reon King as a temporary replacement for Shoaib Akhtar, who is taking a week's break after the Pakistan v India series ends on April 17.

The world's fastest bowler will miss the first two County Championship matches, away to Hampshire and at home to Nottinghamshire.

King, 28, played the last of his 14 Tests in 2001 and also appeared in 48 one-day internationals.

His top score in both forms of the game for the West Indies was 12 not out and a profile written for the Cricinfo website by Colin Croft describes him as a 'terrible fielder'.

But his bowling was highly rated until he suffered from knee trouble and he was said to have the best approach to the wicket of any West Indian paceman since Michael Holding.

He took 44 Test wickets at an average of 27.77 and 73 one-day wickets at 23.23.

Shoaib could play in the National League one-day game against Notts at Riverside on Sunday, April 25, with his first championship appearance coming at Derby three days later.

Durham might have gone for Dewald Pretorius in a reversal of last year's arrangement but he has signed for Warwickshire.

Pretorius began last season with Durham before he was named in the South African tour squad, but as he has recently been ignored by the national selectors, he has committed himself to Warwickshire.

Durham's other overseas man, South African opener Herschelle Gibbs, will be here for the opening match and West Indian Gareth Breese is expected on March 30.

Breese, who is EU qualified through British parents, has been captain of Jamaica this winter, but broke his arm when he was struck just above the wrist last month. He will have the pot removed before flying to England.

Like Durham's other new all-rounder, Gavin Hamilton, off-spinner Breese has one Test cap. Hamilton recently took the chance to return to duty with his native Scotland in the ICC Champions Trophy qualifiers in Dubai.

After his bowling nightmares of the last two seasons, which persuaded Yorkshire to release him, he was keen to put himself to the test in Dubai.

"He bowled in two or three games and was happy with the way it went," said Durham coach Martyn Moxon. "He has also bowled really well in the indoor nets and if he can get back to what we know he is capable of he should be a fine acquisition."

Durham hope to begin outdoor practice on March 29 and have arranged a two-day friendly against Yorkshire at Riverside on April 6-7, plus a one-day match against Derbyshire the following day. The three-day match against Durham University, starting on April 10, has been switched from the Racecourse to Riverside