Skipper Rob Key is desperate to lead Kent back to Division 1 of the LV County Championship at the first attempt, but admits it will be hard.

Two of the country's leading bookmakers have installed them as favourites to make a swift return and Key hopes to prove them right.

He said: "I would love to have played all my career in the First Division, because it has to be stronger because of the sides that are in it, and that's where we want to be.

"We are a decent team, but we are going to have to play a lot better than we did last year. It's nice to think we could do it, but being made favourites brings extra pressure, and we will have to scrap to do it.

"We didn't deal with being favourites very well last season, going into Twenty20 and Friends Provident Trophy finals, and it got the better of us. Losing our overseas player Stuart Clark, and Graham Ford not being here gives us a bit of an excuse, but we have got to make sure we don't use it as one, and go out and actually play well."

He added: "I think a lot of positives came out of last year, and we did it with the majority of the side not playing anywhere near as well as they can.

"We could have won the Championship last season, had we chased 150 against Lancashire, which would have left us going into the final game against Durham about six points off the lead. Notts lost as well, and we could have won three trophies, but won none and got relegated."

He added: "We had a quick chat with individuals at the end of last season, saying this is where we think they are, and what we think they need to do, and almost to a man they pretty much agreed, and within a week were starting preparing for this summer."

Kent have been forced to reduce costs across the board, but Key maintains it will have little effect on the players.

He said: "It's been tough, but the club have been very good, and when we looked to sign Stuart Clark it wasn't an easy thing to find the money for. It will impact in little ways that don't really matter, like hotels and travelling by coach, little luxuries that we probably got used to, but you get spoilt a lot as professional cricketers. When you go out there you have still the got the same bat and ball, and it's your job to perform."

Key turns 30 next month, but remains very philosophical about his chances of an another England Test call-up, selection for the Twenty20 World Championship, and the possibility of leading the country in the shortest form of the game.

He skippered MCC in a rain-hit draw against champions Durham at Lord's over Easter, making only five.

"I'd like to think the whole summer didn't hinge on one innings, and I am sure it won't, because everyone missed out," he said.

"I have got control over the situation by the runs I get, but we won't play any Twenty20 cricket before the squad is announced, and so there's no point worrying about it."

"I have had to invent myself as a one-day and Twenty20 player, giving the time and effort required, and it would be nice to get some recognition internationally as well.

"As a captain you have to think on your feet quickly, take a few punts and hope they come off."