KENT’S chances of maintaining their totesport League Division 1 status will become clearer following Sunday’s vital clash with fellow strugglers Warwickshire.

Tied together on 20 points apiece after 12 starts, it is the Bears who occupy sixth spot courtesy of a slightly better run rate to, while Spitfires lie in the first of the three relegation berths in seventh.

“We have a tough four games to go, no doubt about that,” said Kent coach Paul Farbrace.

“Edgbaston has always been a difficult venue for us to come and win. Then we head off to play Glamorgan in Cardiff at a time when they are flying toward the title.

“To finish off we play Essex away and Northants at home, and they will be keen for points for very different reasons. It's fair to say, we have no easy games left.”

Kent are hoping Amjad Khan will respond to intensive treatment on his right ankle in order to take his place in the side.

James Tredwell, Michael Carberry and Rob Ferley, fresh from taking 7-50 for the Kent 2nd XI in Beckenham, will also travel to the second city.

Min Patel and Ben Trott seem the two most likely to give way in the bowling department, while all-rounder Matt Dennington may lose his spot to Carberry.

The Bears will add Jim Troughton and Graeme Wagg to the squad already on duty in this week’s corresponding Championship match.

These sides enjoyed a win apiece on home soil last season, form that continued through to this term when Kent clinched a rain-affected game at Beckenham back in June.

It will be the 40th meeting between these old league adversaries, Kent having won on 20 previous occasions to Warwickshire’s 13.

Kent’s most memorable win there remains their 1995 triumph inspired by the batting of James Hockley that helped clinched that season’s title.

Kent from: Smith, Fulton, Loudon, Bevan, Walker, Carberry, Tredwell, Ferley, O’Brien, Butler, Khan, Joseph, Trott, Dennington.