SUSSEX coach Mark Davis admits it will be a “big blow” if Chris Jordan is ruled out for the start of the season.

Jordan has been encouraged by ECB director of cricket Andrew Strauss to put his name forward for the Indian Premier League along with England colleagues Jos Buttler and Sam Billings.

If the 27-year-old – who has been given a base price of £104,000 – is picked up at the player draft on February 6 it means he will miss Sussex’s opening five County Championship games as they bid to bounce back to division one at the first attempt.

The 27-year-old only played six Championship games last summer due to a combination of England commitments and injury with Sussex missing him badly as they were relegated on the final day of the season at Headingley..

Davis said: “England are making a big push in white ball cricket and Andrew Strauss wants players competing in the big Twenty20 competitions around the world. I can understand it from an England point of view but if we lose CJ it would be a big blow for us as he is one of our main players.

“Every county is in the same boat and you just have to accept that is how it is nowadays and deal with it the best you can.”

Alex Hales and Adil Rashid have opted to miss the IPL this season to play for their counties – Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire – in the Championship in a bid to convince England coach Trevor Bayliss of their Test credentials.

Jordan – who has not played a Test since last May but was part of the squad for the series against Pakistan and South Africa this winter – clearly feels his best chance of further international recognition lies in the shorter formats of the game.

Davis added: “Chris has obviously had some advice from England but it is up to him. He has to decide what is best for him and he think that playing in the IPL will enhance his prospects.”