Somerset CCC seamer Alfonso Thomas has been released by his South African province, but Brian Rose believes the move will work in the club's favour.

Thomas was one of five experienced players to be let go by the Natal Dolphins before the end of their contracts.

However, that has meant he has linked up with the Somerset squad for pre-season training earlier than planned.

And by having only played intermittently throughout the winter, Thomas has arrived at Taunton fresh and raring to go for the long English summer.

Director of cricket Rose said: "I definitely think it will work in our benefit.

"We have kept in touch with Alfonso throughout the winter and his release was by mutual consent. He is fine, fully ready and raring to go.

"He and his wife are house-hunting in the Taunton area and he is training with us already."

During his free time, Thomas was one of several UK-based South Africans – including Bath rugby player Butch James – given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace as part of the visit of president Jacob Zuma.

Thomas' other good news this winter was that the tightening of regulations on Kolpak players by the England and Wales Cricket Board will not affect him.

The number of foreign-born cricketers permitted to play in the county game as non-overseas players has been reduced.

But Thomas' wife is English, meaning he remains eligible, along with Somerset's Charl Willoughby and Zander de Bruyn, who also have British spouses.

Thomas is also a strong candidate to be Marcus Trescothick's vice-captain.

Rose said: "The vice-captain is an important role and we are discussing it, but we probably won't decide until we have got the squad together later in March."

Batsman de Bruyn is also in the running for the role. He has been playing for the Lions this winter and his season will run to the end of this month. However, Rose expects he will arrive in England in time for Somerset's Championship opener at Yorkshire on April 15.

Rose believes the squad will be fully fit when it assembles in the coming weeks. All-rounder Ben Phillips returned from a playing stint in Australia with a back complaint but is expected to recover soon.

Meanwhile, Somerset's players will be holding a charity auction in aid of this season's beneficiary, Children's Hospice South West, at the Swan Inn at Kingston St Mary.

At the March 24 event, a chilli and rice supper will be available for £6 and among the lots on offer will be a season's Twenty20 membership, a net for your child with Marcus Trescothick or Craig Kieswetter, a VIP day for four people as the chairman's guest at a Clydesdale 40 League match in the new Taunton Long Room and the chance to be Somerset's 13th man for a 40-over game.