Sussex are likely to start squad strengthening for next season by signing former England under-19 captain Rory Hamilton-Brown.

The 20-year-old batsman, who can also bowl off-spin, has been released by Surrey at his own request after three seasons on the Oval staff.

Coach Mark Robinson said: "He is someone we are aware of and we are always interested in players whom we think can improve our squad."

Hamilton-Brown, who scored 84 on his Surrey 2nd XI debut against Sussex when he was 16, made his solitary first-class appearance in 2005 and has played nine one-day games for the county.

He hit the headlines earlier this summer when he was sacked as England under-19 captain after allegedly breaking a ban on drinking the day before the start of the first Test in Pakistan.

But an embarrassed ECB - along with several national newspapers who ran the story - were forced to apologise and he was re-instated for the second Test when it emerged he had not even been in the team hotel when the indiscretion was supposed to have taken place. He has played five one-day games for Surrey this season, scoring 28 runs and taking six wickets.

The retirement of Richard Montgomerie and Rana Naved's departure will create at least two vacancies in the squad.

Rana is likely to join Yorkshire, where he played league cricket earlier in his career, on a two-year contract although Leicestershire, who are believed to have offered him a three-year deal, are also interested.

And there could also a question mark over the future of off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq who still has a year to run on his contract. He was not at Hove on Saturday for the title-winning celebrations. The 31-year-old took 14 wickets in three Championship appearances this season but his fitness after two major knee operations must give cause for concern.

It is now open season for counties wishing to bring in new players and Sussex have already been linked with several names. These include opener John Maunders, who has just been released by Leicestershire, and another left-hander in Middlesex's Ed Joyce.

It is coach Mark Robinson's policy not to comment on speculation about potential signings because it can unsettle the current staff.

Contract negotiations begin this week when Robinson and his coaching team will begin a thorough review of the season.

He said: "There is some rebuilding to do and regrouping to do but we have found some new players this year which is nice in Hodd, Nash and Wright to go alongside the experienced guys like Adams, Mushtaq and Goodwin. The evolution of the squad is happening in front of us."