KENT will bid to take their unbeaten sequence to three championship matches when they take on Surrey in another crucial Frizzell Division 1 clash today.

Just three points separate second-placed Kent from Surrey in third as they prepare to do battle in Canterbury, but despite those lofty positions relegation remains a real threat should either side hit poor form late in the campaign.

Though second, Kent are just 25 points clear of the drop zone, a buffer that could soon disappear should they slacken off in their four remaining games.

Kent have added spinners James Tredwell and Rob Ferley to the squad on duty in the rain-ruined draw in Birmingham last week, indication that this 13th game could be played in spin-friendly conditions.

Martin Saggers (knee) and Amjad Khan (ankle) look set to remain on the sidelines a while longer and Geraint Jones and Rob Key will again be absent on international duty.

Kent from: Fulton (capt), Smith, Loudon, Bevan, Walker, Dennington, O'Brien, Patel, Butler, Joseph, Trott, Tredwell and Ferley.

Surrey from: Newman, Clinton, Rampraksh, Clarke, Batty, Brown, Azhar Mahmood, Bicknell, Murtagh, Ormond, Doshi, Benning.

Umpires: Nigel Cowley and Alan Whitehead.