SUSSEX could be set to make an overseas Twenty20 signing to ignite their white-ball season.

Head coach Jason Gillespie hinted a new recruit could be on his way after Sharks were bounced out of the Royal London One-Day Cup yesterday.

The county are keen for one-day success but saw what were already feint hopes in the 50-overs format killed off by a four-wicket reverse to Essex before a crowd of almost 5,000 at The Saffrons.

Gillespie, whose side face Australia before a packed house at Hove on Thursday, has described the 50-overs campaign as a missed opportunity.

The club will be keen to have a better crack in the shortest format although their Aussie coach last night confirmed he does not expect Stiaan van Zyl to feature.

Sussex are also assessing T20 specialist paceman Tymal Mills.

Asked whether an overseas signing could be on his way, Gillespie replied: “Not in Championship cricket, no. With our bowling, we feel we certainly have that covered and I like to give as many opportunities as I can to Sussex players in the four-day game.

“T20? You might just have to watch this space. You never know your luck!”

Gillespie said van Zyl’s knee problem was “ongoing” and added: “There is no timescale at the moment but we're not envisaging him to be ready for T20.

“We’ll have to wait and see. I hope I’m wrong.”

Mills left the action after three overs when bowling for the World XI against West Indies at Lord’s on Thursday with an as yet unspecified injury.

Gillespie said: “He is being evaluated by the physios and we will have an update in due course.”

Laurie Evans’ century was not enough for Sussex in their final group fixture.

Summing up a RLODC campaign which faded badly, Gillespie said: “Opportunity missed is as simple as I could put it.

“We have had opportunities in a number of games where we should have taken away some victories - certainly against Hampshire.

“Against Middlesex we had our opportunities. Also in Cardiff on Friday “We only have ourselves to blame.”