Sussex's players are being offered counselling as they struggle to come to terms with the tragic death of fast bowler Matt Hobden.

Hobden died in Scotland on Saturday just weeks after signing a new two-year contract extension which would have kept him at Hove until the end of the 2018 season.

The members of the squad who are not currently overseas were due to return after a Christmas break for pre-season training yesterday but instead met up at Hove to talk through their feelings and console each other.

Head coach Mark Davis admits the death of 22-year-old Hobden has hit everyone hard and has postponed training for the foreseeable future to allow the players time to grieve.

Sussex have vowed to give their players all the time and support they need to deal with the loss of one of the most popular members of the dressing room while the Professional Cricketers Association offer a 24 hour hotline for those that need it.

A PCA spokesman said: “Obviously this is a very distressing time for everybody at Sussex and all our thoughts go to the family and friends of Matt Hobden.

“We have been in contact with Mark Davis and Zac Toumazi (chief executive) to offer our support and help in any way we can. People tend to cope with grief in different ways but for those that need it we run a confidential helpline for those that would like counselling.

“Someone is available at the end of the line 24 hours a day, seven days a week and they will be able to refer people on to expert counselling if it is required.

“The service was available to the Surrey players when Tom Maynard dies and a number of players have taken advantage of this services in the past.”

Tributes have continued to flood in for Hobden from around the cricketing world since news broke of his tragic death on Saturday.

Sussex have opened a book of condolence in the club shop at Hove for supporters to sign (9am and 5pm weekdays) and are inviting people to lay flowers outside the gates of the ground.

A picture of Hobden is also being shown on the big screen at the ground.

Former Sussex team-mate Matt Prior said the fast bowler was frightening to face in the nets but one of the warmest characters you could ever wish to meet in the dressing room.

Prior said: “It’s just so unexpected, so tragic, such a young man at the beginning of his career.

“He literally was the life and soul of the dressing room, always bouncing around and he was a huge, huge talent as well. A very fast young bowler who had a hugely bright future.

“I had the misfortune to face him in the nets a few times and he challenegd everyone there.

“Everyone involved with Sussex cricket and every team that he was associated with will only speak very fondly of him and talk about the influence he had in their dressing room as being that bubbly, lively life and soul of the party.”