KENT may be forced into the market for a replacement overseas professional after Andrew Symonds' rise into the Australian Test ranks.

The 28-year-old Queensland all-rounder won his first baggy green cap against Sri Lanka on March 8 and seems certain to be included in Australia's proposed Test tour of Zimbabwe scheduled to start on May 22.

Add to that his plans to marry fiancee Brook on April 24 and probable ICC Champions' Trophy commitments from early September, and it seems highly unlikely that Symonds will honour his pledge to return to Canterbury.

Having been forced to sign four overseas stars last summer through injury and unavailability, Kent are already scouring the market for yet another overseas locum.

It is believed the club's new coaching co-ordinator Simon Willis has drawn up a shopping long-list of six but, with several other counties in a similar position, he is understandably reluctant to name names.

Willis said: "Andy's game has gone forward since we were re-negotiating his contract last summer in as much that he's now in Australia's Test squad.

"We are discussing the wear and tear issues and his enthusiasm to play county cricket in-between his international commitments.

"They are on-going talks but, off the back of that, we are obviously looking at various players capable of replacing Andy should he choose that this isn't the right time for him to be at Kent.

"He's playing ahead of Simon Katich, who had an excellent early winter, and is getting the support of his captain Ricky Ponting, so we have to cover all bases and react accordingly once we know more."

Willis confirmed he had made recommendations to Kent's cricket committee, but refused to name his potential targets.

The Symonds issue, coupled with the absence of Mohammad Sami, means Kent could go into their Frizzell Championship opener against Gloucestershire in Bristol on April 16 without an overseas player.

One player who had interested Willis and Kent, Nottinghamshire's Kevin Pietersen, has settled his differences and opted to stay at Trent Bridge for at least the 2004 campaign.

The 23-year-old South African-raised all-rounder was one of the few players to impress on England A's winter tour of India and has withdrawn plans to sue Notts for unfair dismissal.