If official approvals are given, a team of detectives would fly to the Caribbean island next week, Jamaica deputy police commissioner Mark Shields said in a text message confirming press reports.

A chambermaid found Woolmer, 58, unconscious in his hotel room in Kingston on March 18, shortly after Pakistan were ousted from the Cricket World Cup after losing to debutants Ireland.

• The Bob Woolmer murder story

A doctor failed to resuscitate him and he was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Four days later, in an announcement that stunned the cricket world, police said Woolmer had been strangled.

NO CLEAR SUSPECTS

Police have said there are no clear suspects in the case.

The Times and the Telegraph reported that up to six Scotland Yard detectives would fly to Jamaica to help find Woolmer's killer.

But Shields said the proposal from Jamaica's minister of national security to Ian Blair, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, called for detectives to "review" the case.

"When formalities are agreed, (they) should arrive next week," Shields's message said.

Shields, the former Scotland Yard officer heading the Woolmer investigation, has said frequently in the 12 days since the killing that he would have no qualms asking for help from foreign police agencies if it were needed.

The mystery stirred speculation that angry fans, disgruntled players, gamblers or match fixers were involved.

Police said this week the killer's trail had not gone cold but they have revealed few leads. Closed circuit television from the hotel is being examined and forensic tests on evidence from the room have not been completed.

A memorial service for the former England player will be held in Cape Town on Wednesday, the Bob Woolmer Trust Fund said on Friday. Woolmer was a coach of the South African national team and lived in Cape Town for more than 20 years.

His body is being held by Jamaican authorities pending an inquest, the date of which has not been announced.

The seven-week World Cup culminates in the final on April 28 in Barbados.

• The Bob Woolmer murder story