INJURY plagued all-rounder Ben Phillips is hoping to re-launch his county career after being one of four players released by Kent this autumn. The 26-year-old all-rounder from Beckenham, who played 27 first-class matches for the county, joins veteran Alan Wells, left-arm swing bowler Kristian Adams, and left-handed batsman Paul Lazenbury out of the St Lawrence ground.

Phillips appeared to have a great future after bursting on to the county scene in 1996 as a medium-fast bowler and stylish late-order bat. But his last two seasons have been plagued by injury, limiting him to just one first team outing.

Phillips, 26, has attracted offers from Sussex and Northamptonshire and is to hold further talks with Leicestershire and Essex.

He said: "I would prefer to let the dust settle and see who goes where before making my decision. It's a good opportunity for me to make a fresh start." He will spend the winter in Brisbane playing club cricket.Former Sussex and England batsman Wells, 40 next week, is retiring from the game after reaching the end of his five-year contract. He hopes to stay in the game in a coaching capacity but, in the meantime, he and his wife, Melanie, are to run a bed and breakfast business near Eastbourne.

After spending a season and a half with the county, former Herefordshire and Gloucestershire batsman Lazenbury, 23, has also been released, while Adams failed to build on several thrilling one-day bowling bursts in the 2000 season.

The first of the three vacancies on the Kent staff has been filled by West Indian-born pace bowler and former Sutton Valence School pupil Rob Joseph, who has been offered a county scholarship for his time at University. The Antiguan pace bowler has two years remaining on his qualification period before he can register for a British passport and as an England-qualified player.

Old Etonian and former England under-19 captain Alex Loudon, from Ashford, and James Tredwell, an off-spinner from Folkestone, who also skippered young England this summer, join Joseph on the staff.

Next season's beneficiary Martin McCague has been offered a match to match contract for 2002, while vice-captain Mark Ealham, Min Patel and batsmen Rob Key, David Fulton, Matthew Walker and Ed Smith have been offered improved terms.