KENT have called opening batsman Matt Banes and winter recruit Peter Trego into their squad for the Frizzell County Championship clash with Warwickshire starting in Birmingham today.

With David Fulton, Amjad Khan and Min Patel still absent through injury, Kent will also be without Rob Key on England duty and may yet lose Martin Saggers to the England squad on duty at Lord's.

Saggers could receive an 11th hour call to the team to take on Zimbabwe should Matthew Hoggard (side strain) follow Andrew Flintoff and Andy Caddick onto the sick list. James Hewitt stands by should Saggers go on to collect his maiden Test cap.

With so many absentees, Kent's close-season signing Trego could be in line for his championship debut for his new county after impressing with bat and ball in Sunday's narrow National League defeat to Surrey at The Oval.

Banes, restored to the staff in the winter after his initial release by the county last September, has made just one championship appearance since his first-class debut against New Zealand four years ago, but will play if acting skipper Mark Ealham opts for the security of a specialist batsman.

Depending on the pitch conditions at Edgbaston, Ealham may opt to promote off-spinning all-rounder James Tredwell to open in Key's stead, leaving a mid-order berth free for Trego.

"It's going to be a difficult one to call, but we shall wait until the morning and see exactly where we stand in terms of the pitch and personnel," said Ealham.

"I'm anxious not to completely mess around with our order but whatever happens Trego, Banes or Tredwell will have a great opportunity and the chance to hold their hands up and show some responsibility."

Kent from: Carberry, Smith, Blewett, Walker, Ealham, Jones, Tredwell, Saggers (Hewitt), Trott, Sheriyar, Trego, Banes.