Paul Farbrace has revealed that he is still keen to play a part in Yorkshire’s future, which the new Sri Lanka coach believes is a bright one.

The former Kent and Middlesex wicketkeeper leaves behind his role of second-team coach at Headingley to return to international cricket on January 1 after a spell as Sri Lanka’s assistant coach between 2007 and 2009.

Yorkshire are already taking applications for the 46-year-old’s replacement and interviews will take place on January 30 – but Farbrace wants to maintain close links with the county he joined in 2012.

“We took some players out to Sri Lanka last winter, the likes of Andrew Gale, Jack Brooks, Alex Lees and some of the younger lads, for a nine-day training camp,” he said.

“I’d like to think that once I’m out there and settled again, some more players will come and do some work out there. That would be great from my point of view because I want to keep the link going.

“I’ve enjoyed my two years and I’ll certainly be keeping in touch with all the coaches.

“We’ve got a Test match at Headingley in the summer, which is fantastic – I’m really looking forward to that – and I’ll still be living in Yorkshire. Whenever I get holidays, I will spend them here.

“I’m moving on at a time when I think the club’s on the verge of winning things. Last year I think was a really good indication of how far the club’s come in the last couple of years.

“The 2012 season was really good in terms of Twenty20 cricket and 2013 in terms of the Championship. If we can put both together, which I’ve no doubt we can, then I think it’s going to be an exciting time coming up.”

During Farbrace’s two years in charge of Yorkshire’s seconds, Dan Hodgson, Jack Leaning, Ben Coad, Matthew Fisher, Ryan Gibson, Will Rhodes, Oliver Robinson and Jonny Tattersall have all graduated through to the first team in one form or another.

“I think all the young players have a genuine chance here because they will get opportunities,” said Farbrace.

“Every club gives their young players opportunities but this club arguably more so – and backs them. It’s not just a one-off opportunity, they get opportunities to play over a long period of time.

“The great thing is that the second-team environment we’ve created means the young lads can step up to the first team sooner.

“That’s not just me, but Richard Damms and Ian Dews for what they do on the Academy as well. It’s been a team effort working on the second team.”