Coach Phil Whitticase still believes Leicestershire can win the Frizzell County Championship title - despite the fact that Surrey have increased their lead at the top with a sensational victory over Kent.

Surrey are now 24.75 points ahead of second placed Leicestershire with seven games to go.

This week Leicesteshire take on Kent,who are fourth, and still have to meet Surrey twice before the end of the season. Whitticase feels it is those two games which could decide the outcome of the title.

On the eve of the Grace Road clash with Kent he said:"It is getting very tight at the top with Sussex right in there as well, and I can see it being a very close finish.

"It was a tremendous win by Surrey and full credit to them for successfuly chasing more than 400 for victory.But from our point of view it is still in our own hands. We are now one win behind Surrey, and we still have to play them twice.

"Those two matches could be crucial. But this week's game against Kent is now a massive one as well, and it is important that we get a good result to stay in touch with Surrey."

Leicestershire go into the game in confident mood after three successive wins in the Norwich Union League and improved performances in the last two Championship matches, both of which were rain affected.

The return of captain Vince Wells after a neck injury is likely to be the only change from the side on duty against Hampshire in the last Championship game.

The squad is: Wells (captain),Ward, Sutcliffe, Maddy, Bevan, Stevens, Burns(wicket-keeper), DeFreitas, Crowe, Malcolm, Whiley, Cunliffe.

© Leicestershire CCC