Kent's director of cricket Graham Ford has ruled out any immediate thoughts of allowing Neil Dexter to go out on loan to another county.

The 23-year-old South African-born batsman has appeared in only one championship game to date this season, against Sussex at Hove, where he scored only four runs.

Dexter also remains on the fringes of Spitfires’ limited overs side, but Ford is calling for the stylish right-hander to prove his worth at St Lawrence.

Ford said: “Neil was one of my favourites to start in the side at the start of this season but things haven’t quite worked out for him in terms of form.

“Both ‘Keysie’ (skipper Rob Key) and I have chatted with him at length and told him he’s still very much in our plans here. We’d like him to get some runs under his belt for our second team.

“I think the loan option is an okay one, but I’d much prefer to see one of our players stay around and fight for his place for Kent.”