Skipper James Tredwell is winning his race to be fit for Kent’s return to LV=County Championship Division 2 action against Worcestershire at New Road starting on Friday.

Tredwell has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury while fielding in the Friends Life t20 win against Hampshire Royals at Southampton on July 21.

It has been a rare enforced absence for Tredwell who planned to have a bowl in the nets on Wednesday to test his recovery.

He said: “I have been luckier than others with injuries. I haven’t done a great deal since it happened but am continuing my rehab, which has included trampoline work and catching medicine balls in an effort to help strengthen my joints. I think I should be all right.”

Rob Key and Brendan Nash, who both scored centuries against Hampshire in Kent’s last championship outing, are certain to return after not being involved in recent t20 action.

Sam Northeast will also return to the side, while Mark Davies, Matt Coles, and Mitch Claydon are vying for the seam bowling vacancy, following the departure of Vernon Philander.

Tredwell said: “Competition for places is always healthy. The side (at Worcester) might be massively different from the one that played against Hampshire, or no different. One or two players could be disappointed."