Amjad Khan will miss the start of the new season later this month after being forced out of England's tour to the West Indies because of a knee injury.

However the 28-year-old Kent seamer has been told he does not need surgery on the right knee he had rebuilt two years ago, and it's hoped he could be fit in "four-to six weeks" according to a Kent spokesman.

The news is a blow to player and county on the day they begin their pre-season-warm-up with a two-day friendly against Nottinghamshire at Canterbury.

Kent coach Simon Willis said: "It's the same knee, but a different injury. He had a MRI scan before he left the West Indies.

"It's very disappointing for Amjad because he has worked so hard to get where he has."

Khan was called up from the England Lions trip to New Zealand as cover for injuries, making his debut in the fifth Test in Trinidad.

He played in the Twenty-20 defeat, but has not figured in the one-day international series, which is level at 2-2, ahead of the decider on Friday.

Meanwhile, Kent and Notts are playing 14-a-side in a two-day friendly at Canterbury "to allow everybody available maximum game time" according to Willis.

The teams will contest a one-day friendly on Friday.

Martin van Jaarsveld is back from South Africa, but Ryan McLaren, Justin Kemp and controversial overseas signing, Australian Stuart Clark have yet to arrive.