Lewis hopes that all the county's coaching staff will play their part (Getty Images)

Gloucestershire captain Jon Lewis has played down expectation that the club's new team mentor Jack Russell can make an immediate impact for the county.

Lewis told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "He's spent the most part of pre-season watching how things have been going.

"I've asked him to watch and feed back to me and not have too much input. But as the season goes on his input will become stronger," he added.

"He's going to be a big voice for us this summer within the dressing room,"

Lewis was keen to stress that the appointment of Russell as Gloucestershire's team mentor was more than just a public relations stunt.

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"Jack's always been a fans' favourite. People here love him, that's great and if it does help them feel we're going in the right direction, that's great.

"But the real reason he's here is for me and the team to use him as a resource to get the best out of ourselves.

"He'll be a very valuable man in the dressing room along with the other coaching staff who are all very highly qualified and excellent at their jobs."

Lewis has extra responsibilities himself this season as Gloucestershire go into the new campaign without an acknowledged head coach.