STEVE Davies will quit Worcestershire CCC at the end of the season after deciding not to renew his contract.

The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Kidderminster has ended in-tense speculation surrounding his future at New Road by turning down a new deal.

Surrey made a 28-day approach for the England Lion’s services in June and will be among the favourites to secure his signature.

Bromsgrove-born Davies had been stalling on agreeing a contract with the County and the news is unlikely to come as a surprise to fans.

It is, though, a major blow to director of cricket Steve Rhodes as he faces up to the prospect of losing another of his key players in what has become a season to forget.

Vice-captain Gareth Batty has already been granted permission to talk to other counties, despite having a year to run on his present deal, while fellow England Lion Stephen Moore could also leave should the County be relegated from LVCC Division One.

Batty has attracted interest from Division Two Surrey as well as local rivals Warwickshire, who are also believed to be on the trail of Moore.

Former England pace ace Simon Jones, on the sidelines this term following further knee surgey, has already been told be will be released at the conclusion of the current campaign and Glamorgan are leading the chase for the 2005 Ashes hero.

Rhodes had hoped Davies would commit himself to Worcestershire for 2010 but accepts his decision and says it is time to move on.

“Having been involved with Steve’s development since he was 11, I am quite naturally disappointed he won’t be part of the club’s plans in the immediate future,” he said.

“However, the most important thing is the club must move forward and we will be searching for a suitable replacement.

“We respect his decision and hope that he has a very successful cricketing career with his new county and with England. He will always be welcome at New Road and will remain an integral part of our plans for the remainder of the season.”

Davies, expected to be part of the Worcestershire team to face Essex in Sunday’s Pro40 encounter at Colchester, has featured in 25 first-class dismissals so far this season and averages 38.37 with the bat.

He played against Australia for the England Lions at New Road last month, which en-ded in a draw, but the gloveman went for a golden duck against the Baggy Greens in the Lions’ 103-run defeat at Canterbury last week.

Along with Moore and Batty, Davies was left out of the England one-day squads an-nounced this week.