The return of seamer Mark Robinson may be the only change to the Sussex side for today's crucial Championship match with second division leaders Northamptonshire.

Robinson will replace off-spinner Justin Bates in the game which starts at 11 am at Eastbourne, but the county have resisted the temptation to make changes to the batting order following last week's innings defeat by Northants.

Coach Peter Moores said: "It was our first defeat in the Championship for three months during which time we have batted well as a unit. It was a tight call because Will House and Bas Zuiderent have done well in the second team and one-dayers, but I think we have to back the batsmen that have done well for us."

Robinson's return will re-unite Sussex's 'awesome foursome' pace attack for only the second time in ten weeks and Moores believes they can exploit a Saffrons pitch which traditionally favours the seamers.

"I think they might come up trumps in this game," he added. "We have a good record at the Saffrons and the pitch seems to suit our attack, Eastbourne week has probably come at the right time for us because we badly need to win this game."

Sussex: Montgomerie, Peirce, Khan, Adams, Cottey, Martin-Jenkins, Rashid, Wilton, Lewry, Kirtley, Robinson.

Northants (probable): Rollins, Hayden, Loye, Warren, Cook, Penberthy, Swann, Ripley, Cousins, Taylor, Brown.