Former Sharks and Springbok centre Adi Jacobs appears unlikely to become a Stormer despite an approach from coach Allister Coetzee.

The Stormers have suddenly found themselves with a shortage of experience in the midfield, following the news that Jaque Fourie would not be returning from Japan to boost their resources in 2012.

The Cape Town side have also lost the services of Timmy Whitehead and Johann Sadie, who have signed for the Sharks and Bulls respectively, leaving Coetzee with Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh has his only experienced centres.

Jacobs, who has left the Sharks at the end of his contract, has returned to the Western Cape - where he was born in Kraaifontein, but according to Die Burger hasn't responded to the Stormers inquiries about his availability.

Coetzee told the newspaper that Jacobs had not responded to an invitation to train with the squad, which is why the he has been omitted from the 53-man pre-season training squad.

What the 31-year-old's plans are for the future remain a mystery, but silence regarding the Stormers offer could indicate that he may head overseas.

Jacobs would offer some experience to the Stormers should they persuade him to link up with the squad, as youngsters Marcel Brache, Berton Klaasen, Adrian Kritzinger and Michael van der Spuy are next in line to make their Super Rugby debuts.

Stormers pre-season training squad: Gio Aplon, Reuben Johannes, Donovan Armandt, Rohan Kitshoff, Andries Bekker, Steven Kitshoff, Wicus Blaauw, Berton Klaasen, Tom Botha, Siya Kolisi, Marcel Brache, Nick Koster, Schalk Burger, Adrian Kritzinger, Nizaam Carr, Deon Carstens, Clement Lewis, Demetri Catrakilis, Tiaan Liebenberg, Kurt Coleman, Hilton Lobberts, Bolla Conradie, Frans Malherbe, Juan de Jongh, Scarra Ntubeni, Jean de Villiers, Joe Pietersen, JP du Plessis, Danie Poolman, Dewaldt Duvenage, Quinn Roux, Rynhardt Elstadt, Louis Schreuder, Eben Etzebeth, De Kock Steenkamp, Nick Fenton-Wells, Tim Swiel, Schalk Ferreira, Ricky Schroeder, Deon Fourie, Gary van Aswegen, Burton Francis, Gerhard van den Heever, Peter Grant, Hein van der Merwe, Nic Groom, Michael van der Spuy, Bryan Habana, Willem van Wyk, Brok Harris, Allister Vermaak, Yaya Hartzenberg, Duane Vermeulen.