ESSEX have agreed deals to bring Danish Kaneria and Andre Nel to the county for the 2008 season.

As the Echo exclusively revealed on March 26, South Africa paceman Nel will join the club later this month before departing after the Friends Provident Trophy clash with Middlesex on May 18.

Pakistan leg-spinner Kaneria then arrives in time for the LV County Championship clash with Leicestershire on May 21 for the remainder of the summer.

The county had initially feared that Kaneria would be barred from playing county cricket after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed fears over the 27-year-old suffering from burnout.

However, the PCB has now cleared the Karachi-born star to join Essex for a fourth season, although his arrival will be delayed while he awaits the birth of his second child in his homeland.

That means Nel, who was controversially overlooked for South Africa's current tour of India due to non-white player quota issues, will return to the county for a short, third spell at the Ford County Ground.

"I am delighted to be returning to Essex for the beginning of the season. I enjoyed my time at the club in 2007 immensely and can't wait to rejoin the boys for the first game," said the 30-year-old.

"I look forward to giving my all in an early season burst for the club."

Nel's arrival, which is subject to receipt of a work permit and clearance from Cricket South Africa, may also be delayed until April 25 if his Titans side reach the final of the Standard Bank Pro20 Series in his home country.

The pair's decisions to re-join the county have delighted the club's management.

First-team coach Paul Grayson said: "Danish wanted a bit of time at home with his family, which means he misses the first month of the season and we respect that.

"We've got a terrific replacement in Andre Nel.

"This will be Andre's third spell with us (after short visits in 2005 and 2007) and he's proved a very popular character in our dressing room.

"Early-season pitches tend to be a bit more seamer-friendly, so to have an international-calibre bowler at our disposal is very important."