Captain Rob Key is calling on Kent's other experienced pros to help nuture the county's youngsters as they seek an instant return to Division 1 of the LV=County Championship.

Kent begin their campaign against Essex at Chelmsford on Friday, with 31-year-old Key, pictured, an elder statesman in a side with several comparatively raw young players seeking to recover from last year's relegation.

But the former England batsman is confident of support from the other more experienced members of his squad.

He said: "It’s the job of a senior player, captain or not, to help the younger members of the team. People like Geraint Jones, Darren Stevens and Martin van Jaarsveld can all offer help.

"If you only have one or two youngsters and they don’t have a good year it’s okay, but we need these guys to come through quickly."

Nevertheless, Key feels he has a good balance of seniors and youngsters in the batting department and a good bowling attack if the experience of Simon Cook and James Tredwell is consistently available and Stevens can again provide some useful overs in support.

The return to form and fitness of Robbie Joseph will be vital, as will the continuing all-round development of Matt Coles.

Key said: "If everyone is playing at their best, it’s a decent team. The problem will be if we have injuries or a few international call-ups and it becomes a numbers game."

One man with whom Key will need particular rapport is his fellow opener Joe Denly, 25, who had a County Championship average of only 21 last season but warmed up with 115 in a practice match against Lancashire.

Key said: "Joe will realise how quickly you can go from being a promising youngster to a senior player. Pre-season he has looked in good form. This year or in years to come, he will be taking off as a player and realising his potential."

Which Kent youngsters can have an impact this summer? Leave your comments below.