McLaren has been popular with the Kent supporters during his time at the club

Kent all-rounder Ryan McLaren harbours ambitions to return to the county, despite committing himself to play in his native South Africa.

He will play for Free-State side Eagles at the end of the English season thus surrendering his Kolpak status.

But McLaren hopes to return to Kent at some point in the future: "I'm leaving Kent as a much better cricketer.

"Hopefully I can come back as an overseas player at some stage," he told BBC Radio Kent.

"I don't fit the Kolpak requirement but with two overseas players allowed in the Twenty20 competition, I might be able to get involved there."

McLaren has spent three successful seasons at the St. Lawrence ground, and helped Kent secure the Twenty20 title in his first season, taking a hat-trick in the final. In 2008 he was selected by South Africa to play against Kenya and Bangladesh but he was contracted to Kent for the 2009 season.

Despite being on the radar of the selectors, McLaren concedes that he does not expect to walk straight into the national side.

"I'm just going back to fall in the system. I'm not going in with any expectations. If you look at the South African side, they're extremely settled and performing very well," he added.

"I want to play good cricket. If things work out, and I get the opportunity to be selected then fine but I'll take it one step at a time."

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