Sussex are signing West Indies fast bowler Corey Collymore.

The 30-year-old from Barbados is expected to arrive tomorrow after receiving a work permit at the weekend and could make his debut in Thursday's FP Trophy game against Surrey.

Collymore has been signed as a Kolpak on a one-year contract and will attend an ECB hearing tomorrow to have his registration is ratified and Sussex do not envisage any problems.

Collymore has taken 93 wickets in 30 Tests and 83 in 84 one-day internationals and will replace Ryan Harris, who returned to Australia after playing just one game for the county last month.

Coach Mark Robinson said: "We did our homework and spoke to a lot of people and what I like having talked to Corey is that he is hungry to do well, he sees this as a real opportunity to enhance his career.

"Murray Goodwin and Mushtaq Ahmed have both spoken highly of him and I talked to (England bowling coach) Ottis Gibson who is convinced he will perform for us.

"From all the reports we've had he is a hard worker and a good person who perhaps has a point to prove after being left out of the West Indies squads this winter."

Although Collymore is not regarded as express pace, he can bowl upwards of 80mph. It is his ability to move the ball off the seam and through the air which should ensure he does well in English conditions.

He is currently ranked 11th in the ICC Test rankings despite not playing since last June against England when he was West Indies' leading wicket-taker in the series with 11. He was appointed Barbados captain earlier this year.

Robinson added: "His record stacks up and I think he's one of the unluckiest bowlers around in world cricket. When I've seen him bowl I often think how has this guy not got five wickets?' because he is a very skilled operator."

The Harris fiasco has left Sussex desperately short of firepower, especially with Luke Wright likely to be in England's one-day squad later in the season.

Robinson said: "Our problems have been well documented. I'd still include Luke as one of our three bowlers while Jason Lewry and James Kirtley are coming back from injury so we've been a bit vulnerable.

"We needed a boost in that department and I think Corey will give the whole club a lift. He's a proven performer who sees this as a great chance to re-ignite his career."

Collymore is the first West Indian at Hove since fellow Barbadian Vasbert Drakes had three seasons with the county between 1994-96.

Is Collymore a good signing for Sussex?