by Glenn Pearson

The final piece of the St Lawrence Ground redevelopment jigsaw could soon be in place, with Kent hopeful of tying up a deal with an international hotelier next week.

The club have been in discussions with a group about the sale of land with planning permission for a 130-bed hotel and have put a self-imposed deadline of next Wednesday to thrash out a deal.

With the first part of the development complete and work now underway on the second stage, which includes office buildings and a Sainsbury’s convenience store – financed by a loan from Canterbury City Council – agreeing a deal for the hotel would mark completion of the club’s plans for St Lawrence.

Kent’s chief executive, Jamie Clifford (pictured), said: "We continue to be positive about the discussions we are having, it relates to an international hotel operator and I hope by February 1 we will have a deal that is workable on the table. That’s my timetable I am working to. If we can’t get something together by then, we will have to review our position."

Meanwhile, new Kent head coach Jimmy Adams is on course to take up his position next week. The former West Indies Test captain, who was named the successor to Paul Farbrace earlier this month, is currently awaiting a visa before being allowed to enter the country.

Mr Clifford said: "First week in February was always our target date, which, if it’s ambitious, means if it slips a bit, it doesn’t stuff up everything else."