Coach Mark Robinson today promised an upturn in Sussex's fortunes, declaring: "We will get stronger."

Sussex head to Somerset having won only one of their eight matches so far and three successive draws have left them slightly off the pace in their bid for a hat-trick of Championship titles.

But Robinson is in bullish mood, although he admits Sussex's stuttering start is similar to a year ago when they lost back-to-back Championship games by an innings and were written off.

He said: "It's a frustrating time and similar to this time last year, allbeit for different reasons.

"Losing is hard work. All you can do, whether you're a player or coach, is prepare the best you can, do the basics to the best of your ability and keep going.

"It's disappointing that we are not getting the results we'd like at the moment. In any sport you have no divine right to win but we will get stronger."

The return of four key players at Taunton for the match that starts on Wednesday should help. Matt Prior and Luke Wright return from England A duty, Jason Lewry will form a new-ball spearhead with Corey Collymore and Murray Goodwin is back after missing Sunday's FP Trophy game against Kent because his son was taken ill.