KENT'S head of coaching Graham Ford and chairman of cricket Graham Johnson appear to be well on the way to deciding on their squad for next summer.

Ford said: "I’m pretty close to putting forward my preferred squad for 2006.

"It's fairly clear in my mind, but my suggestions have yet to go before our cricket committee and that could take another three weeks or so.

"There's no guarantee they’ll agree with my recommendations either, as an awful lot will depend on our budgets for next year, and again, they won't be finalised for another two weeks or so.

"But it's fair to say I'm generally very happy with the strength of our squad and the competition for places.

"We all know we have under-achieved in one-day cricket but we will be working hard to address that in time for next season. I feel we can take this squad and do something good with it."

Only half-a-dozen players of the 22 on the full-time staff will be out of contract come October 1 and the majority of six appear likely to be retained.

The club’s spin-bowling triumvirate of Min Patel, James Tredwell and Rob Ferley will be up for re-negotiation and all three look set to stay.

Patel, with 50 championship wickets to his name already has been inspirational, not only with ball and bat, but also with his remarkable return to fitness, having played in all 13 championship games after last year's spinal surgery.

Former England A skipper and off-spinner James Tredwell has made just one four day appearance, but has been an integral member of the one-day squad and is certain to stay.

Left-arm spinner Ferley, with only 10 first-class appearances for the club in three years and none this term, is in a bigger quandary however.

He must yearn first team cricket and appears unlikely to oust the hugely experienced Patel.

At the other end of the age-scale, young England batsman Joe Denly has shown enough form in one-day cricket to warrant an extended stay, despite a disappointing and unlucky debut at Maidstone.

As for the seamers, Martin Saggers has shown he has recovered physically from the knee problems that cursed him for much of 2004, but a lack of opportunities coupled with cursed luck in his six appearances have left him on the fringes.

Another to remain on the fringes is Alamgir Sheriyar whose three-year term at St Lawrence would appear to be coming to an end.

He has made only 23 appearances since joining from Worcestershire and has failed to make the county first team this year.