Key led Kent back to the top flight of the county championship last year.

Kent captain Rob Key believes his newly promoted side is capable of winning the County Championship this year.

The club were relegated for the first time in their history in 2008 but they bounced back to win the second division last year.

Key told BBC Radio Kent: "If we all play well then I think we can win it but we can also play badly and find ourselves struggling."

Kent have won the title seven times in their history, the last being in 1978.

Key added: "We've got some very good bowlers and if they bowl well they're going to be one of the better attacks around.

"With Amjad Khan and Robbie Joseph it's an exciting new ball attack.

"We've got Azhar Mahmood for the odd game here and there. Plus James Tredwell who was the best spinners in the country last year by a long way and one of the best bowlers in the country."

Kent have brought in Sri Lanka batsman Malinga Bandara as their overseas player and have signed up seam bowler Dewald Nel along with youngsters Adam Ball and Ashley Shaw.

"At some stage you've got to rise up and stake your claim. So it could be a great year - they'll be opportunities for nearly everyone so someone's got to stand up."

He added: "If everyone's playing well we've got a decent batting line-up but guys need to perform - and that's actually where we've come unstuck over the last few years in the first division."

Kent will be missing three fast bowlers because of injury for their opening game against Nottinghamshire.

Robbie Joseph, who has not played since June, has a shoulder injury, Dewald Nel has a back problem and Simon Cook is out with a side strain.

Amjad Khan will take the new ball with Matt Coles, and Phil Edwards is also in the squad.

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