Former England batsman Michael Carberry is reportedly taking legal action against his county side Leicestershire after he was relieved of the captaincy following a dismal start to the season.

Last month, Leicestershire issued a statement saying Carberry had been dropped as captain following an investigation, which had taken place in the wake of a one-day thrashing at the hands of Nottinghamshire.

QUICK SINGLE Ferguson's epic knock shatters records

A club statement read: "Following a review of the early part of the season by (head coach) Paul Nixon, a decision has been made to relieve Michael Carberry of the captaincy.

"Paul Horton will take over as club captain with immediate effect.

"The club will not be making any further comment."

According to the Daily Mail, Carberry was set to stay with the squad to their next match against Derbyshire until he was advised by a board member that it would be inappropriate for him to do so.

QUICK SINGLE Marsh backs quicks as absences prove telling

The report said Carberry's legal representatives would approach Leicestershire regarding the matter on Monday, claiming he had been given "no prior warning" he was in danger of losing the captaincy.

Carberry, who has six Tests and seven limited-overs matches for England to his name, has not played since that defeat to Notts, at which point Leicestershire had one win from two in the one-day tournament and sat sixth in County Championship Division Two with one win from four.

In the weeks since, the Horton-led side won one 50-over clash from six, before accounting for Northamptonshire by six wickets in the return to county action.

Carberry only joined Leicestershire last year on a two-year deal after 11 seasons with Hampshire.