Assistant coach Matt Walker says he expects Kent skipper Rob Key to turn out for the 2nd XI next week as he bids to return to form with the bat.

Key, in his second spell as skipper, struggled for form in his side’s three winless County Championship matches to start the season, with Kent at the foot of LV= County Championship, Division 2.

He opted to step down from first-team action for this week's four-day game with Glamorgan at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, with Fabian Cowdrey taking his place, and is also set to miss Friday night’s T20 opener against Sussex as well as Monday’s Championship trip to face Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Key averages just 14 from six innings to date with a top score of 34 against Lancashire at Old Trafford and Walker revealed said Key might pad up for the 2nds as they face Surrey in two games at Maidstone next week.

Walker said: “He’ll have a bit of time away and come and work with us in the nets, he might go and play a 2nd XI team game next week.

“He’s pretty clear he wants to get himself right and feels he hasn’t earned the right to come back into the team yet. It’s his call but I don’t think we’ll see him in the team this week.

“The thing with Rob, there’s technically not much wrong. In the nets and the bowling machine, he’s hitting the ball beautifully. This is all his decision but I think it’s about getting away from this environment for a little bit."

He added: "As coaches, we’d have backed him to find his way in this environment.

“It’s a brave move and sends a clear message to others. If you’re not performing, you’re not going to play.”

Key admitted last week: “I haven’t done my job to anywhere near my full potential.

“You do feel under pressure. There’s nothing worse than when you’re not scoring runs as a captain.

"It’s not the most enjoyable game when you’re just sitting in the dressing room and fielding. It’s a bit of a pain.”