James Kirtley will be able to play a full part in Sussex's Championship match this week if he is released from the England squad for the first Test.

The 28-year-old is hoping to make his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord's on Thursday but even if he is left out on the the morning of the match he will be able to face Nottinghamshire at Horsham under a change in the playing regulations introduced this season.

It allows England players who are released to take the place of a team-mate and bowl, bat and field in their place although it is 'reasonably expected' that they join the match before the start of the third day.

Sussex will nominate the player Kirtley could replace at the toss tomorrow.

Coach Peter Moores said: "I don't know who it will be yet but it will be a like-for-like strike bowler.

"The player will know he has been nominated before the start so James could come back and play for us if he's released."

Kirtley had his first net session at Lord's yesterday and with some wet weather forecast for the duration of the Test the likelihood that he could form part of an all-seam attack has increased.

"I haven't had any indication from England management of when he might be released if that's what they decide to do but I think there is a pretty good chance that he will play and we hope he does," added Moores.

"They will want to see all the lads bowl in the nets and have a good look at James. If he comes back to play for us I think that will be an added bonus."

Nottinghamshire, who won promotion from Division Two last season, are one of only two counties below seventh-placed Sussex in the First Division which adds to the importance of tomorrow's contest.

The county are also anxious to erase the memory of their last Championship performance against Warwickshire, but there are unlikely to be wholesale changes.

Skipper Chris Adams, Tim Ambrose, Matt Prior, Mushtaq Ahmed and Robin Martin-Jenkins, who all missed the drawn match with Zimbabwe at the weekend, return to the squad while all-rounder Kevin Innes has proved his fitness after missing the Warwickshire game with a hamstring strain.

Kirtley's place is likely to go to Billy Taylor although Sussex will not finalise their 12 until after they have checked conditions at Cricketfield Road where the squad were training today.

Moores added: "I've had a chat with Chris (Adams) and we will decide on our attack after we look at the wicket at Horsham.

"We would normally go in with two spinners, that is definitely an advantage as the game goes on at Horsham although it seams around a bit as well.

"If we get four good days up there I'm sure there will be a positive result."

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