Anthony Ireland rejoins Gloucestershire from Middlesex

Seam bowler Anthony Ireland has rejoined Gloucestershire from Middlesex until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old played at Nevil Road from 2007 to 2010 and has returned to cover for the injured Ian Saxelby.

Ireland will play in a second XI fixture before linking up with the first-team for their game against Yorkshire, which starts on 28 August.

His last Championship appearance for Middlesex was against Gloucestershire in June 2011.

"Anthony has been told that he is not part of the long term plans at Middlesex," said director of cricket John Bracewell.

"With the loss of Ian Saxelby for the rest of the season through injury, it will be handy to have someone with miles under his belt in terms of experience and who knows our systems pretty well.

"He will play in the seconds to get some overs and if he bowls well he will be an option for Scarborough."

Ireland represented Zimbabwe in 26 one-day internationals before retiring in 2007.

Meanwhile, batsman Ed Cowan will return to Gloucestershire for a one-off appearance in the County Championship match against Northants, starting on Tuesday, 4 September.

Cowan impressed during a temporary stint as an overseas signing earlier this season and is currently on a tour of England with Australia 'A'.

He will replace Rob Nicol, who leaves to join up with the New Zealand squad after the Championship clash with Yorkshire at the end of this month.