GLAMORGAN and former England cricket opener Steve James is expected to announce his retirement this weekend.

The news will not come as a shock to supporters or Argus readers as James played only one game last season and hinted last month that retirement was imminent.

The announcement is expected to come in a Glamorgan press release on Sunday and possibly in a Sunday newspaper which is to employ the popular player and Argus columnist.

Lydney-born and Monmouth School-educated James told Argus readers last month that he was thinking of quitting after a succession of knee operations.

He said at the time: "I began the 2003 season as captain of Glamorgan and full of hope, both personal and collective.

"But in reality all that happened is I played one game against Derbyshire, scored 1 and 14, and was in such pain with my left knee that I was unable to get down the stairs the next morning. As a result I had to undergo a serious operation and naturally had to resign as captain.

"Some six months or so after the operation I still cannot run... and have set the end of January as my cut-off point. If I am not running by that time I will have no option but to retire."

James was unavailable to comment this week, but it is understood he broke down when out running almost a fortnight ago.

He was virtually unable to walk for a week and after further consultation with his specialist has decided to call it a day.

The 36-year-old has been a great servant to Glamorgan since his debut as a 17-year-old in 1985 and a great accumulator of runs.

During an 18-year career he played in two Tests, against South Africa at Lord's and Sri Lanka at the Oval, both in 1998, scoring a total of 71 runs with a highest score of 36 against the latter.

He was also vice-captain of the England A team in East Africa and Sri Lanka in 1997-98

He has scored 15,890 first class runs at an average of 40.63 with 47 centuries and 58 half centuries and a Glamorgan record score of 309 not out against Sussex at Colwyn Bay in 2000.

He had scored 259 not out there against Nottinghamshire the previous year.

He has scored 1,000 runs in a season nine times, his best 1,775 in 1997 and as well as Glamorgan figured for Cambridge University (where he also almost won a rugby blue) and Mashonaland (Zimbabwe).