Exclusive by Glenn Pearson

Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens is hopeful of signing a new contract in the early weeks of the season, which will allow him to see out his career at the St Lawrence Ground.

Stevens (pictured) is in the final year of his contract but has been in discussions with chief executive Jamie Clifford about extending his deal with the county.

The 35-year-old has been in good form with bat and ball since his last contract extension two years ago, which included being named Kent’s player-of-the-year in 2010, and the all-rounder is keen to commit himself to Kent for the remainder of his career.

Stevens, who joined Kent from Leicestershire in 2005, said: "I have had a contract meeting and fingers crossed over the course of the next week or so something will be in writing.

"Jamie Clifford and I spoke about it before I went to Bangladesh and he put the cricket committee’s views across and I put mine across and what I felt I deserved.

"I spoke to him again the other day and hopefully there will be something on the table by the end of next week.

"I’m 35 now and I would be happy to finish my career here."

Stevens missed the club’s trip to Antigua after dislocating a finger while on tour with the Lord’s Taverners which followed a successful first winter spent playing for new champions Dhaka Gladiators in the Bangladesh Premier League.

The injury has healed and he was in the side for Kent’s opening LV= County Championship game against Yorkshire, which started on Thursday.