England cricket bosses will hold talks with coach Duncan Fletcher about extending his current contract before he sets off on the tour of Bangladesh next month.

England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) chief executive Tim Lamb said Tuesday he is planning a meeting with Fletcher as soon as possible to get him to extend his deal beyond September 2004.

"He hasn't given us any indication in the past that he is not willing to continue but we need to speak to him to determine what he wants," said Lamb.

"We would like to sort this out before the start of England's tour.

"But if not I will be in Dhaka for the first Test against Bangladesh if we need to dot the i's or cross the t's on anything."

There had been increased speculation that after four years in charge, Fletcher would have been ready to return to coach at domestic level, after making his name when taking Glamorgan to the championship in 1997.

But Fletcher said he was ready to talk about staying on.

"It's up to the England and Wales Cricket Board," he said.

"There's probably only been two sentences passed between us when they've turned around and asked what I wanted to do.

"I feel confident in the side that's here and what I've got to offer.

"There's a lot of work to be done and I can contribute to helping those cricketers in that side."