Mushtaq Ahmed is on course to return to action ahead of schedule.

The 38-year-old Sussex leg-spinner has been sidelined for a fortnight after having minor knee surgery.

But he expects to be back next Tuesday for the Championship game against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

He said: "I'm feeling very good. I have been in the gym doing cycling and strengthening work and hopefully tomorrow I will start running again. The physios are very happy with my progress because I'm three to four days ahead of schedule and, hopefully, I will be back next week."

Mushtaq admits it has been hard watching Sussex make a faltering start to the season in his absence.

They go to Somerset tomorrow searching for their first Championship win after three successive draws and have only won once in five Friends Provident Trophy games.

He added: "I can't believe how much I have missed it. It is very frustrating. I feel like going to the nets now and bowling without letting the physios know - that would help me but it wouldn't be the right thing to do."

Mushtaq had only missed one Championship game through injury since joining Sussex in 2003 but admitted going under the knife was the correct decision.

He said: "I first felt pain during the Hampshire game last June but it wasn't my knee that was the problem at the time.

"My side muscles were hurting and because I started to protect that injury I was putting more pressure on the knee.

"Before the operation I was feeling a lot of pain, especially against Essex in the one-day match and when you feel pain you don't enjoy your cricket.

"At that stage I didn't think I needed an operation, I thought I could get through with painkillers or an injection.

"But on the first day of the Surrey game a fortnight ago it was very wet, the forecast wasn't great and the surgeon was available and said I would be out for a maximum of three weeks so we decided to go for it."

Meanwhile, Mushtaq has predicted new signing Corey Collymore to come good after going wicketless in his first two one-day appearances.

He added: "I have played against Corey a couple of times for Pakistan and I think he will do well.

"He has the same desire and hunger I had when I came here. The club is very good at creating the surroundings for the players to work hard and pull in the same direction and that will definitely help Corey show what he can do for Sussex."