KENT skipper Rob Key is re-examining his overseas player options after World Cup call-ups and injury left his fast bowling department looking severely weakened.

The knee surgery for strike bowler Amjad Khan and news that South African Andrew Hall and Pakistan’s Yasir Arafat will now both play in this month’s World Cup, means Key will go into the 2007 championship campaign without three crucial members of his pace attack.

Kent’s chairman of cricket Graham Johnson initially suggested the club would hope to "get through" the first difficult weeks of the season, but Khan’s injury and Arafat’s call-up have since led to a re-think.

Key said: "I would say it’s already too late to sign anyone from another English county, so I feel we will have to use another overseas card to get some back-up.

"Just losing one bowler was OK, but having three out makes a huge difference."

* See the Kentish Gazette (Thursday, March 8) for the full story.