Sussex fear seamer Ajmal Shahzad could be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Shahzad suffered a serious pectoral injury on his comeback from a similar problem in the Championship defeat against Durham at Arundel two weeks ago.

The long-term absence of the former England international would be a huge blow to Sussex after Shahzad had made an impressive start to life at Hove following his winter move from Nottinghamshire.

The 29-year-old took 20 wickets in his first four Championship matches before tearing a pectoral muscle during the match against Middlesex at Hove in May.

Coach Mark Robinson said: “It is touch and go whether Ajmal will bowl again this summer. It is still relatively early days and sometimes players come back quicker than expected but there’s a chance he won’t feature again this season.

“He doesn’t need an operation but because of where it is he can’t strap it up and play like you can sometimes with a hamstring or calf injury. It just needs rest.

“It is disappointing as he had started the season really well but it sums up our luck at the moment. It has been an unprecedented year in terms of injuries.”

The loss of Shahzad is another cruel blow for Sussex who have been missing seamers Jimmy Anyon and Lewis Hatchett all season while Chris Jordan is also sidelined after picking up an injury on England duty.

Hatchett is due to take make a tentative return this weekend after suffering a stress fracture in his back during the winter. The left-arm seamer will play as a batsman for East Grinstead in the Sussex Premier League.