KENT skipper David Fulton will be at the St Lawrence ground for tomorrow's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy tie with Gloucestershire, but time will tell whether he plays an integral role or a supporting one.

The 31-year-old batsman went to the crease for the first time last week playing for Kent 2nd against Warwickshire in Beckenham - his first innings since a freak, practice session eye injury back in April.

Though Fulton’s right eye is still healing, he claimed four catches in the match, but was ultimately disappointed in scoring just eight runs in his two innings in the game.

He said: "There’s a chance of me playing but I have to be fair to the other lads and honest to myself, so at this point I’d say it’s a very slender chance. I’ve come back to the game two weeks earlier than I hoped I might be."

He stressed: "There might be a chance of playing, but at this stage I’d say it’s unlikely."

Fulton admits he was very pumped up for his 2nd XI comeback match, but with further improvement to the damaged right eye he still hopes for a championship bow for the season at Tunbridge Wells on June 4.

"I won’t be rushing, but by the same token I am captain of this side and it’s been disruptive to our plans for this season that I’ve been missing.

"Mark Ealham’s done a fantastic job but because he’s only stand-in he possibly can’t stamp his authority over the side as he might like, so for many reasons I feel it would be good for me to get back as soon as possible and get some normality to the team."

As for Wednesday’s fourth round tie against the 2000 Trophy champions, Fulton added: "We played them pre-season and know they’re a very feisty side but we beat them last year in the same competition.

"We know Jonty Rhodes will bring them a new dimension, but I’m more worried about getting us right rather than worrying about what Gloucestershire may be capable of.

"We have only shown glimpses of our real form this season, but this is a knock-out and we can’t afford to mess it up."

Kent will hope to have Rob Key available for selection after Test duty and will give a late fitness test to Martin Saggers, who missed Sunday’s National League match at New Road with a knee strain.

Matt Banes, Alamgir Sheriyar and James Hewitt will be on stand by for what will be the fifth occasion the sides have met in the competition, each having claimed two wins apiece.