Gough has taken 235 wickets in 157 one-day internationals

England paceman Steve Harmison wants Gough to take over when Troy Cooley returns to Australia in May 2006.

"Darren's got good experience. Players who have just left the international scene have some new modern ideas," Fletcher said of the 35-year-old.

"But we would have to look at the whole package and who else applied."

Harmison says he and his fellow England bowlers would welcome the chance to work with Gough, who has retired from Test cricket but is still available for one-dayers.

He would have the instant respect of all the bowlers because he's been there and done it Steve Harmison on Gough

"As far as working with the international bowlers is concerned, if anyone can fill Troy's boots, Darren can," the Durham seamer told the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

"I still believe he could do a job for us as a bowler and I think he would be a great addition to the squad for India.

"Whether or not he is picked again as a player, I would love to have him as coach.

"He is a master of the art of bowling with the new ball and 'at the death' and some of that knowledge would be invaluable, particularly in the one-day game.

Cooley will take up a similar role with his native Australia next year

"He would have the instant respect of all the bowlers because he's been there and done it, the kind of man you would always go the extra yard for."

Gough, who won the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing TV show on Saturday, has retired from Test cricket and is only available for one-dayers for England.

However, he sat out the current tour of Pakistan and it is uncertain if he will be picked for the series in India next March and April.

"We'll just have to see," added Fletcher. "At the end of the day, we just have to make sure we pick the best squad to go to India and the best squad that we believe has got to get ready to face the World Cup in 2007.