New signing Johan van der Wath cannot wait to make his Sussex debut today.

The 27-year-old only flew in from South Africa yesterday before heading straight to Trent Bridge to meet his new team-mates ahead of the Championship game against Nottinghamshire.

He said: "I'm raring to go. I'm only here for a few weeks but hopefully during that time I can take a few wickets. The most important thing is that Sussex do well during the time I'm here with them."

Van der Wath faces Nottinghamshire today and will form part of a four-pronged seam attack. Off-spinner Mark Davis is likely to miss out in the only change to the team which drew with Hampshire last week.

Skipper Chris Adams, who missed Sunday's totesport League win over Derbyshire because of a frozen shoulder, has recovered and will lead the side.

Adams has no qualms about throwing van der Wath straight into the fray.

He said: "Johan has been playing all winter, he will be up for it and from what I have been told he will definitely improve our options.

"Somebody will miss out but that's the nature of our squad at the moment and strong competition for places is exactly how it should be."

Nottinghamshire, who drew with Middlesex in their opener, are expected to be unchanged with Paul Franks, fresh from a century at Lord's due to come in at No. 8 in what is arguably the strongest batting line-up in Division One.

Franks said: "I think Sussex like to try to hit a big total in their first innings and then let Mushtaq Ahmed wheel away from one end so we need to outperform them if we're to get a good result."

Meanwhile, Sussex have announced that due to problems with the square at Horsham the festival week, which was due to take place May 8-13, has been moved to the county's headquarters at Hove.

Derek Traill, Sussex grounds manager, said: Due to inappropriate maintenance in recent weeks the surface of the square at Horsham is not conducive to first class cricket at the present time.

"Sussex groundstaff are working with Horsham Cricket and Sports Club to rectify this problem for the Horsham club during the rest of the season and there is no reason why first class cricket will not return to Horsham in 2006."

Sussex (probable): Ward, Montgomerie, Yardy, Goodwin, Adams, Prior, Martin-Jenkins, van der Wath, Mushtaq Ahmed, Kirtley, Lewry.

Nottinghamshire: Bicknell, Gallian, Singh, Fleming, Hussey, Read, Ealham, Franks, Swann, Smith, Sidebottom.