Former Surrey coach Alan Butcher has applied to become the Red Rose county’s new first team coach.

Without revealing any names, Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes yesterday admitted that he has received eight serious applications for the job.

And as speculation intensifies over who will work alongside new director of cricket Mike Watkinson, Butcher confirmed: “I have applied, and I have had confirmation from Lancashire that my application has been received.”

Butcher, a left handed batsman who played one Test for England in 1979, was sacked at the Oval after Surrey were relegated from the top tier of the County Championship at the end of last season. He spent three seasons with the London based county.

Lancashire’s current assistant coach Gary Yates will apply for the job, but has not done yet.

“I will be sending in an application,” said Yates. “I have obviously worked with the players having been in charge of the second team, and know the set-up and surroundings.

“If I got the job I would be able to continue the good work we have been doing here over the past few years, and that is something I am very interested in doing.”

Former Lancashire stars John Abrahams, Warren Hegg, Peter Martin, Phil Defreitas and Wasim Akram have all been linked with the post.