Kent could be in a position to appoint a new head coach before Christmas after drawing up a shortlist of 16 candidates.

Club bosses have whittled down a list of more than 50 applicants to 16 and look set to begin the interview process next week.

Kent’s chief executive Jamie Clifford (pictured) said: "We went from our 50-odd to a list of 16 and I have spoken to all of those.

"I am now just waiting on the chairman of cricket (Graham Johnson) to return from his holiday at the end of the week and we will sit down and finalise half a dozen people to speak to in more detail and to run a more rigorous selection process for those.

"It might be anywhere between one and 16 but the next stage is the rigorous bit.

"We are happy with the names on our list and we think we can appoint somebody good for the long term of Kent cricket, not just next season.

"We would like to get the whole process concluded before Christmas. That might be ambitious but that’s achievable."

While former Glamorgan batsman Mike Powell became the first signing of the winter, discussions with other targets continue as the club look to bolster their squad following the departures of Martin van Jaarsveld, Joe Denly, Robbie Joseph and James Goodman.

Mr Clifford reaffirmed comments made by chairman George Kennedy at the time of Denly’s and van Jaarsveld’s exits, insisting the county remain in the market for "established international batsmen," although he wouldn’t be drawn on whether those funds would be entirely reinvested in the squad for next season.

He added: "We continue discussions with a couple of players outside the
county.

"I have also started discussions with players that are in contract about their futures, in a positive way, so that we can get an idea of what the squad will look like in 2013 which is an important piece of work."