Seventh plays eighth in Division Two of the County Championship. So, whichever side lose this match can kiss goodbye to the chance of promotion for another year.

Kent, who have only been involved in one draw this summer, are ravaged by injuries - so much so they have taken 26-year-old seamer David Balcombe on loan from Hampshire. All being well, Balcombe will fit in alongside Azhar Mahmood and Robbie Joseph, who have been in excellent form with the ball this season. That said, the new ball pair have only played in seven championship matches between them. Off-spinner James Tredwell (23 wickets at 32.56 runs apiece) is currently the hop county's leading wicket-taker, while Darren Stevens has chipped in to good effect with his tantalising medium pace.

Mahmood tops the averages with the bat, but from only four completed innings. Fit again Martin van Jaarsveld (487 championship runs at an average of 34.78) has been the only other performer of note, despite failing to make a hundred. In fact, just three championship hundreds have been struck by a Kent batsman this term. Given that they have dropped down a division, more runs were expected to flow from the bat of skipper Rob Key and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, who currently averages just 16.60 in four-day cricket.

Zafar Ansari could be in line for is first-class debut for Surrey. Meanwhile, Tim Linley needs just one more scalp for 50 first-class wickets for the Oval outfit, while Tom Maynard is set to play his 50th first-class innings, which, assuming he is selected, will come in the hosts' first dig.

Mark Ramprakash returns to the Surrey fold, having been rested during the T20, while Chris Tremlett looks set to make his third start of the season in the County Championship. Yasir Arafat is fit again, but there is no room in the squad for Arun Harinath, who made a century for the Second Eleven against Sussex last week, or Chris Schofield.

The weather forecast for day four looks less than promising, but if Surrey serve up another green pitch the match might not last that long. Kent are patched up, while the hosts, with Chris Tremlett available again plus Zafar Ansari knocking on the door, are spoilt for choice. Time for Surrey to make amends for losing four out of their last seven championship meetings with Kent.

J Denly, R Key (capt), S Northeast, M van Jaarsveld, D Stevens, G Jones (wk), J Goodman, Azhar Mahmoood, J Tredwell, D Balcombe and R Joseph.

Nick Cook and Peter Hartley.

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