ESSEX are believed to be chasing Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan in a bid to bolster their mis-firing top order.

The county's bid for promotion from LV County Championship Division Two has been hindered by an inability to score big first innings runs – and first-team coach Paul Grayson believes the 20-year-old could be the answer.

In 13 championship matches this season, Mark Pettini's side have passed 300 just four times first time around, amassing just 26 of a possible 65 batting bonus points.

Only two batsmen – Ravi Bopara (882 runs at 63) and James Foster (733 at 48.86) – are averaging more than 40, while Pettini himself, veteran Jason Gallian and youngsters Tom Westley and Varun Chopra have all struggled to make high scores consistently in four-day cricket.

And with Bopara and Alastair Cook – and possibly Foster – expected to be on England duty for much of next summer, Grayson revealed that the county is hoping to bring in an fresh blood for 2009.

"As the 2008 season comes to a close it’s important we continue to move forward next season," said Grayson.

"To that end it’s important we bolster the team over the winter to push on – particularly in four-day cricket.

"Our base is pretty good – and the bowling looks quite solid – but there is a particular need for another senior batsman, hopefully a left-hander.

"We have identified two or three options but I can’t say more than that at this stage. All being well there will be good news on the player front in the near future."

Essex have already had an approach for Middlesex and England batsman Ed Joyce rejected by the player, but his county team-mate Eoin Morgan and Kent veteran Matthew Walker are both thought to be on Grayson's radar.

However, the man believed to be top of the county's shopping list is exciting Middlesex's South African Malan, who came to the nation's attention by making 103 off just 54 balls in the Crusaders' Twenty20 Cup quarter-final win over Lancashire in July.

The Roehampton-born 20-year-old may lack experience, but he has translated his Twenty20 form into four-day cricket, scoring 482 runs at 40.16 in eight championship matches this summer.

However, Essex will face a battle to land Malan's signature as Warwickshire have also made an approach to take the youngster to Edgbaston.