Injury-hit Kent have signed a batsman on loan to help bolster their squad for the next few weeks.

Essex right-handed batsman Feroze Khushi will link up with Kent for their County Championship trip at Hampshire on Sunday.

The 25-year-old is also available for three Vitality Blast fixtures, albeit he won’t feature against his parent county next month.

Kent director of cricket Simon Cook said: “With nine of our first-team players unavailable, we’re pleased to have Feroze with us to give us more options with the bat at the top of the order as we wait on the fitness of our established batters.

“Zak Crawley has returned to the England camp ahead of their Test series with West Indies, and will now not be available for us for our remaining T20 South Group fixtures.

“On the flip side, we hope to have Jack Leaning fit in the near future, and Feroze coming on board also gives us extra batting depth as we head into another busy part of our schedule.”

Khushi came through the ranks at Essex and has played five County Championship games this season, including against Kent when he made a duck and eight. Khushi scored a century against Durham at Chester-le-Street and a half-century against Lancashire.

Joe Denly (knee) is likely to be sidelined for the next month due to injury.