Fast bowler Matt Hobden has been tipped for a bright future as he bids to bounce back from one of the darkest days in his fledgling career.

Hobden’s encouraging start to the season came to a grinding halt in the previous Championship match against Middlesex at Hove.

The 22-year-old from Eastbourne lost his rhythm completely as he committed 11 no-balls in 16 overs in the first innings and another three in the second.

His struggles were highlighted by an injury to Ajmal Shahzad on the opening day which prevented skipper Ed Joyce from withdrawing him from the attack.

The continued absence of Shahzad combined with injuries to Lewis Hatchett and Jimmy Anyon mean Hobden is almost certain to keep his place for the visit of Warwickshire to Hove today.

And Joyce is confident the fast bowler can rediscover the kind of form which helped Sussex win their opening two Championship games against Hampshire and Worcestershire.

Joyce said: “Hobsy is a young bowler with huge potential but he just had an off game.

“Because of injuries he was forced into a role against Middlesex where he had to bowl when we didn’t really want him to.

“We really want him to be a luxury bowler who is able to run in and bowl fast and if he is not getting a spell right we can take him off and bring someone else on.

“I think Matt will be a fantastic cricketer for Sussex in the future but he is still young and learning his trade at the moment.”

Hobden was still waiting to make his Championship debut this time last year and coach Mark Robinson has warned against expecting too much too soon from the youngster.

Robinson said: “This is Matt’s first full year as a professional and we rate him highly.

“He had some issues in the last match but how far he goes in the game is down to how much he learns from things like that. He has got genuine pace and can swing the ball too so has got great potential but there are always bumps in the road for any player.

“In terms of his long-term future what happened in the Middlesex game could turn out to be brilliant for him as it helps mould who you are.”

Robinson has also backed Craig Cachopa to show his class after enduring a slow start to the season.

The Kiwi made an instant impact after joining Sussex midway through last season – including half centuries in both innings against today’s opponents Warwickshire on debut – but has scored just 113 runs in eight Championships innings so far this summer.

Robinson said: “You sometimes forget how young Craig is (23) because he is such an assured character.

“This is the first time he has failed in his career so he is finding it tough but he is a strong man and will get through it.

“He just needs a couple of things to go his way.”

Sussex have Chris Jordan available and could recall Luke Wells after he made a century and a half century for the 2nd XI but Matt Machan, Matt Prior and Ashar Zaidi are ruled out through injury along with Shahzad, Mills, Hatchett and Anyon.

Mike Yardy picked up a calf problem in Friday night's T20 win at Somerset.