Chris Adams will make a late decision on whether to make his comeback after injury in Sussex's Norwich Union League game against Essex at Chelmsford on Sunday.

Adams hasn't played for three weeks since his thumb was broken by Worcestershire paceman Alamgir Sheriyar in the opening Championship match of the season.

Sussex's captain is anxious to get a game under his belt ahead of next Wednesday's crucial Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final against Surrey at Hove.

But he says he won't risk playing against Essex if it jeopardises his chances of facing Surrey.

"I've been hitting throw-downs in the nets for a few days now and the injury is improving every day," said Adams.

"At the moment I'd say I was 50-50 for tomorrow. There is less and less pain with each day, but I wouldn't want to do anything that might affect my chances of playing on Wednesday because Surrey is a very big game for us.

"I would like to play before then and I'll probably leave it until the last minute tomorrow before deciding on whether to play or not."

Sussex go into the Essex match full of confidence after winning their Benson & Hedges Cup qualifying group and then defeating Nottinghamshire in last week's Championship match.

They are likely to name the same team which won all three of their B&H ties although Will House would probably make way for Adams should the captain declare himself fit to face an Essex side beaten in both Division Two outings so far.

"We have hit upon a winning formula in the one-day matches so far and it would be difficult to change that," said Adams.

"The guys are playing with a lot of confidence and it would be nice to win tomorrow, both in terms of getting our first win in the competition and as a boost ahead of the Surrey game."

James Kirtley, 12th man at Lord's during the first three days of the first Test against Pakistan, will lead Sussex if Adams isn't fit to play.

Meanwhile the friendly against Cambridge University yesterday petered out to a draw.

Sussex (probable): Montgomerie, Goodwin, Zuiderent, House or Adams, Yardy, Martin-Jenkins, Rashid, Prior, Davis, Kirtley, Robinson.