Mike Yardy would love to bow out on a high at Hove.

Yardy plays his final ever game at the County Ground against Somerset this week before retiring at the end of the season.

It would be fitting if the 34-year-old from Hastings could produce one last match-winning innings to secure Sussex’s place in division one of the Championship for another season.

But Yardy admits he would swap a positive result for any personal glory, an attitude which epitomises a player who has put the team before himself ever since making his debut back in 1999.

Yardy said: “I suppose it is going to be a bit emotional but the fact it is a crucial game means you have to focus on the job in hand.

“Sometimes at this stage of the season there can be nothing riding on games and you can get caught up in the occasion but it is important we win this week.

“If you get distracted it means you won’t perform to the best of your ability so from Monday to Thursday I won’t be thinking about it being my last game at Hove.

“Once the game has finished I can look back at all the special times I have had there over the years but first I have a job to do. I’m not really someone who likes to make a big deal of things anyway and would rather I did something significant out on the pitch.”

Yardy has played a prominent role in boosting Sussex’s hopes of avoiding relegation since being recalled to the Championship side at Lord’s last month.

Although his 70 in the first innings against Middlesex did not prove enough to avoid defeat it was followed by a battling 124 against Yorkshire as Sussex ground out a priceless draw.

That was followed by victory in the pivotal game at Worcestershire last time out and Yardy is confident they can build on recent performances against Somerset to see off the threat of relegation with a game to spare.

Yardy added: “It’s been a tricky season with injuries but in the last few games we have picked up which says a lot about the character of the team.

“We have built a bit of momentum so hopefully we can get there this week to take the pressure off for the final game against Yorkshire.

“The good thing is that beating Worcestershire in the last game means we are not chasing anything which is important at this stage of the season when the weather can be a factor.

“Having said that you can’t go into any game simply trying not to lose. You have to go in with the mentality to win the game and if we play the way we have recently I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Sussex go into the game level on points with Somerset and 11 ahead of Hampshire who are in the second relegation spot. Hampshire take on leaders Yorkshire at home this week while bottom club Worcestershire travel to Durham.

Skipper Ed Joyce is expected to return to the side after missing the victory at Worcestershire with a back problem but seamer Ollie Robinson is unlikely to play due to sore shins.

There is also a slight question mark over opener Luke Wells after he pulled out of a second team game last week with a hamstring injury.

Sussex squad: Brown, Hatchett, Jordan, Joyce, Liddle, Machan, Magoffin, Nash, Robinson, Wells, Wright, Yardy, Zaidi.

Somerset squad: Trescothick, Abell, Allenby, Barrow, Cooper, Gregory, Groenewald, Hidreth, Leach, C Overton, J Overton, Ronchi, Trego.