KENT captain David Fulton has confirmed the county will go into the 2003 season without a second overseas player.

The club have strengthened their bowling with Alamgir Sheriyar and Peter Trego and have signed Michael Carberry from Surrey as cover for England bat Rob Key. But have yet to plump for their second overseas star.

While Australian Andrew Symonds has already agreed a third season at St Lawrence, skipper Fulton is content to play a waiting game before moving to sign a partner for the Queensland all-rounder.

He said: "We received some negative press last year for releasing home-grown players because some people perceived that as our way of funding a second overseas player.

"That wasn't the case and we will almost certainly start with one overseas player and give the rest their chance to prove what they can do.

"We do have money up our sleeves and, if we want the second overseas player for two, three, or four months, we can. But we are so well balanced I couldn't tell you right now whether we need a batsman, spin bowler or fast bowler.

"If, a month into the season, any one area isn't quite firing, then we will then be able to move into the market for and international star."

Fulton may yet be without Symonds from about May 14 to June 3 when Australia tour the Caribbean. Australian Test legend Steve Waugh stood in for Symonds last summer and Fulton refused to rule out a return.

He said: "Steve did say that the day-in, day-out grind of county cricket wasn't for him at this stage of his career, but he could be the right man to come back for a few weeks."