Saggers has fallen down the pecking order at Canterbury

Saggers, 35, who played the last of his three Tests for England three years ago, has not featured for Kent since the game against Cardiff UCCE in April.

Essex have been ravaged by a series of injuries to their fast bowlers, with three out for the rest of the season.

Kent boss Graham Ford said: "Martin has not been able to find a regular place and the loan will allow an immediate chance to play competitive cricket."

Essex are advertising for a full-time "strength and conditioning" coach after a season beset by injury problems to the seamers.

Andrew McGarry (broken hand), Mervyn Westfield and Maurice Chambers (both suffering stress fractures) are out for the rest of the season.

Darren Thomas (shoulder), signed from Glamorgan in the off-season, has still not played a game while Tony Palladino (abdominal strain) is only just back in action.

Alex Tudor (abdominal strain) and Jahid Ahmed (back) are also working their way back to fitness, while Andre Nel had to miss a match with a "whiplash-type" injury.

Captain Ronnie Irani no longer bowls, but his knee problem has flared up and he is out of the reckoning too at present.