Sussex look like losing Mushtaq Ahmed for the second half of the season after Pakistan admitted they were likely to recall him for their tour of England.

Mushtaq has not played for his country since October 2003 and has since become Pakistan's part-time bowling coach.

But injuries to Sussex team-mate Rana Naved and Shoaib Akhtar, which could affect their participation in the tour, have prompted a re-think by the Pakistan selectors.

Pakistan captain Inzaman-ul-Haq said: "The injuries to our main bowlers are a bit unsettling and we are thinking along the lines of balancing the attack by turning to Mushtaq for the Tests.

"His form has been outstanding and he clearly relishes bowling in English conditions. His experience could be invaluable to us."

Mushtaq would love the opportunity to prove he can still perform on the biggest stage at 35.

He said: "If they need me I am around and I'd love to help them.

"Pakistan should go with Danish Kaneria but they picked me against England after the end of my last season with Sussex when they were thinking about playing two leg spinners. I didn't get a chance but Danish bowled so well that I wasn't worried."

Losing Mushtaq would be a massive blow to Sussex's bid to win a second Championship..

He already has 47 wickets this season and would expect to do even better in the second half of the summer when pitches dry out.

Then there is the prospect that their star leg spinner would miss Sussexs first appearance in a Lords final for 13 years in the C&G Trophy on August 26.

Cricket manager Mark Robinson said: "There isn't much we can do. How can you deny someone the chance to play for their country?

"I have spoken to Mushy. He doesn't want to join the tour to coach or watch but competing against England is a different matter.

"If it happens then so be it, there's no point losing sleep over it. We will have to react to the situation if or when it happens."

Meanwhile, Inzaman has accused Sussex of over-bowling Rana and putting his participation in thetour of England in doubt.

Rana will discover today whether he is suffering from Gilmore's Groin after limping out of Sussex's match against Middlesex earlier this month.

The 28-year-old flew back to Lahore last week for an initial assessment but has returned for specialist advice from the same London surgeon who operated on Sussex team-mate Jason Lewry last season.

Inzaman said: "I think he was excessively used in county matches and not provided proper rest.

"Teams have to use fast bowlers very intelligently to avoid any burnouts or injuries."

Sussex are disappointed with Inzaman's reaction. They are anxious to maintain good relations with the Pakistan Cricket Board to the extent that they have arranged Ranas travel and accommodation whilst he is back in England this week.

If Rana needs surgery he will be out for the rest of the season although he is more confident of participating than he was a few days ago.

He said: "I have hopes of getting fit in time to face England. If not, it would be a great disappointment because I have been waiting for this series.

"When I suffered the injury during the Middlesex match I felt pain even in walking but the injury has responded to treatment and now I can run with little discomfort."

Rana, who has played eight Tests and 45 one-day internationals, has suffered from groin problems in the past and Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson says his fitness has always been carefully monitored.

He said: "I'm afraid injuries are part and parcel of the game and Inzaman is going to be disappointed because he may have lost his two most important bowlers for the tour.

"It's just unfortunate for Rana but we don't want it to affect our relations with the Pakistan board. They have been very good to us which is why we are helping them with Ranas arrangements when he is back over here."

Pakistan will give both Rana and Shoaib Akhtar, who is troubled by an ankle injury, as much time as possible to recover and may start their tour with only 15 players before adding to the squad once the fitness of their two strike bowlers is known.

The first of four Tests starts at Lords on July 13 and is followed by a five-match one-day series.

Meanwhile, Ranas replacement, Yasir Arafat, will make his Championship debut on Wednesday against Yorkshire at Arundel.