The chances of England fast bowler Darren Gough remaining with Yorkshire appear to be receding after the publication of a newspaper article in which he admits that life there is "almost unbearable". Speaking in the News of the World, Gough, 31, said that he found the attitude of certain people associated with the Yorkshire club too much to cope with. "I've never wavered from the desire that I want to end my playing days at Yorkshire - but there's only so much I can take.

"I can live with the 'OBE Gough' comments - 'Only Bowls for England' - even the poison-pen letters. But it's been clear this year that certain members of the committee don't want me around at any price. Anonymous official sources have stirred up trouble all summer - things like I'm about to be sacked, I've missed club functions to concentrate on my benefit season.

"Although I've been told the county is determined to find the culprits, it seems little has been done. I don't know if I can face another summer of much bad feeling."

Gough played only two Championship matches for Yorkshire in the 2001 season, although that was more as a result of the ECB's central-contract system than any reluctance on his part. He has also been criticised for moving his home 200 miles south to Buckinghamshire - a sign of his lack of commitment to the county, according to his critics.

"This is even tougher than deciding to miss the India tour," said Gough. "I honestly don't know what I'm going to do - but the time is here."

He is expected to let the committee know his decision by the end of the week. If he does opt to leave Yorkshire, there will be no shortage of counties eager to sign England's only world-class fast bowler.

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