Sussex have signed left-arm spinner George Dockrell on a one month loan.

The 22-year-old Ireland international will go straight into the team for Monday’s clash with Durham in the County Championship at Arundel Castle.

Dockrell has lost his place in Somerset’s four-day team this season following the arrival of Abdur Rehman at Taunton and has opted to join Sussex instead of playing in the World Twenty20 qualifiers with Ireland.

Somerset director of cricket Matt Maynard said: “George is a quality performer but he has had limited opportunities this year. “He has been offered the chance to go to Sussex ahead of the World T20 qualifiers and we have allowed him to make the temporary switch.

“I think this will be good for him and good for Somerset too because he will get some first class game time which is vital at this stage of his career.

“George is at the stage of his career where he quite rightly wants to be playing regularly at the highest level domestically.”

Dockrell has played 40 first class games for Ireland and Somerset, taking 126 wickets at an average of 28.27.

He recently took seven wickets in Ireland’s victory over UAE in Dublin in which Sussex skipper Ed Joyce made a record 231.

Sussex coach Mark Robinson revealed the county were keen to sign a spinner on loan following the Championship defeat to Hampshire at Hove this week.

James Tredwell, who had joined Sussex on loan from Kent at the same stage last season, was unavailable as he is back in Kent’s plans.

Dockrell said: “It’s going to be an interesting few weeks in a new environment but it will be good to get some first class cricket under my belt. “I’ve played a lot of second XI cricket in the last few years but to develop my game I need to be playing first XI cricket and this will give me the opportunity. It’s only for a month and I’ll be coming back with a bit more experience which will hopefully help me and Somerset.”