Somerset will try to sign an England-qualified batsman during the winter – but only if he is of sufficient ability.

Somerset CCC will replace captain and No 3 batsman Justin Langer with Indian spinner Murali Kartik. An announcement is likely next week.

Kartik will strengthen the Somerset spin resources, but they will lose a highly durable source of runs.

Langer struck 64 in a bid to prop up his side against Worcestershire in his final first-class innings.

After being dismissed for 280, Somerset closed day three on 203-4 in their second innings, still trailing Division One's bottom club by 88.

The Taunton side have been lucky to suffer few batting injuries in recent seasons and do not have many experienced reserves.

But they have high hopes for youngsters Robin Lett, Jos Buttler and Chris Jones, and will only add to their squad if they can improve it.

Despite the flat Taunton square, their batting remains fallible, as was shown by the fact their first innings amassed 18 runs fewer than Worcestershire opener Daryl Mitchell (298) had managed on his own.

Somerset's final match of the season has reminded observers of last year's denouement, when they dropped from second place to fourth after defeat at home to Lancashire.

They will now have to wait and hope Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire slip up in their final games next week to avoid a similar fate.

They began day three on 184-3 but lost six pre-lunch wickets. First Zander de Bruyn drove flat-footedly at Richard Jones and edged behind for 15 before James Hildreth (24) presented Vikram Solanki with a slip catch off Matt Mason.

Pete Trego cut Mason to gully for nought and 189-3 had become 190-7 when Mason nipped one back to Craig Kieswetter (1), who was adjudged leg before wicket.

Ben Phillips helped Alfonso Thomas add 49 for the eighth wicket, but after the latter had made 38, he edged Gareth Andrew behind.

Phillips struck two straight drives for four, but he then lobbed tamely to mid-off in the same over for 18.

David Stiff then hit four fours and a one-handed six over midwicket in his 30 not out but Charl Willoughby could not support him as he too picked out mid-off.

After the inevitable follow on, Marcus Trescothick picked out second slip off Mason from the second ball of the innings.

Arul Suppiah and Langer then added 142 before the former feathered a catch behind off Andrew for 83. The ex-Somerset CCC seamer then ended Langer's first-class career when the Australian cut low to Moeen Ali at backward point for 64.

Hildreth's 18 ended when he top-edged a pull to the keeper off Jones.

De Bruyn was 20 not out at the close with Kieswetter unbeaten on 10.