Coach Matt Walker has played down speculation linking Kent with Durham’s 35-year-old former England bowler Graham Onions but admits the county are looking to strengthen.

Rumours about Kent's interest in the Gateshead born bowler - who played nine Tests for England - first circulated during Kent's drawn championship game against Durham at Chester-le-Street earlier this month.

Onions took 6-62 in Kent's first innings - his best figures for two years - and in the second innings added 2-45 to become his county's record wicket taker in First-Class cricket.

However Walker explained: “I did hear that speculation and I’d be very interested in where it came from but I can say we are trying to sign players.

"We’re a club that has a fairly limited budget but if we can try to identify a couple of players who might improve our side and fit well into our squad then we will.

“We’ll start that process now and try to find the players we feel we want to add to our group. We’ll see and hopefully there’ll be some news sooner rather than later on a player or two and hopefully that will give everyone a lift.

“Obviously these things take a bit of time they’re never particularly straightforward but it would be nice if we can get a few over the line this year."