United Arab Emirates' Al Noor Hospitals Group, which last week agreed to be bought by South Africa's Mediclinic International, said VPS Healthcare has approached it with a "highly preliminary indication of interest".

VPS is Al Noor's third suitor after Mediclinic's £1.4 billion ($2.2 billion) bid was agreed despite a rival approach from NMC Health in a tussle for expansion in the fast-growing Gulf Region.

Privately-held UAE-based VPS has until 1700 GMT on November 17 to announce a firm intention to make an offer for Al Noor under UK takeover rules.

NMC Health, already a major player in the UAE, has vowed to fight on, saying last Wednesday it remained committed to a tie-up with Al Noor.

Shares in Al Noor rose 2.5 per cent to 1,192 pence, above the 1,160 pence cash offered in one of the alternatives proposed by Mediclinic. - Reuters