Mushtaq feels the pain

6:00am Friday 4th July 2008

Mushtaq Ahmed admits he is in a lot of pain' as he waits to discover his Sussex future.

The 38-year-old leg-spinner will find out the results today after having a scan on his troublesome knee yesterday.

Mushtaq - who has taken 475 Championship wickets since joining Sussex in 2003 - opted to play against Lancashire earlier this week despite not being fully fit.

He bowled 33 overs and took three wickets but was unable to take the field on Wednesday after his right knee became swollen.

Mushtaq had an operation in May and was out for three weeks but the problem flared up again and he missed the entire Twenty20 Cup campaign.

Asked if he thought the injury might be career-ending, he said: "I hope not but it is very painful at the moment."

He added: "I was desperate to play this week and last week I felt fine, I trained hard and played in the second team and there were no problems.

"It is the same injury as before and might not have healed properly and at the moment it is very sore."

If, as seems increasingly likely, Mushtaq will not be able to carry on coach Mark Robinson will try to sign a replacement in time for Sussex's next match against Hampshire at Arundel Castle on July 16.

He said: "I can't praise Mushy enough for the way he bowled against Lancashire.

"He was in a much worse state than he was against Nottinghamshire and Durham but he bowled superbly.

"It just shows how strong he is mentally."

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