Sussex coach Peter Moores admits the county would like to sign another all-rounder.

But it seems unlikely that they will be able to entice Ben Hollioake to Hove.

The 24-year-old, who has played two Tests for England, is refusing to sign a new contract with Surrey where elder brother Adam is captain.

That has alerted several counties, but Hollioake's destination should he decide to leave the Oval is likely to be Warwickshire.

Moores said: "From what we've heard Ben wants to sign for a Test match ground county.

"Ben is a talented player and you get the impression that there is a lot more to come from him. But if we were going to go for him I think it would have happened by now."

Sussex have been keen to add an all-rounder to the squad preparing for Division One cricket next season for some time.

They failed to land Kent's Ben Phillips who joined Northamptonshire instead because he felt he would play more Championship cricket with them.

And they were also ready to move for Mark Ealham when the Kent all-rounder stalled on the offer of a new contract before eventually deciding to stay at Canterbury.

In the meantime Moores is delighted with the work done by Robin Martin-Jenkins who missed two months last season with a rib muscle injury.

The 26-year-old all-rounder, who made his maiden first class century in the title-winning game against Gloucestershire, has been undergoing intensive work to improve his strength and fitness during the close season.

Moores added: "Robin has done really well this winter. He looks stronger even though the injury is still giving him a little bit of trouble occasionally.

"We really missed him when he was out of the side last season, particularly in one-day cricket. No one was able to jump in and grab his spot. That is the challenge for the likes of Mike Yardy, Billy Taylor, Will House and Carl Hopkinson next season."

Meanwhile Tony Cottey, who missed virtually all of last season because of tennis elbow, is hoping to step-up his recovery next month.

Cottey is still not able to pick up a bat although the operation he had in September to repair a muscle tear was a success.

"We knew it would be a long-term thing with Cotts," said Moores.

"But it's going well and hopefully he will be batting again properly after Christmas. We saw him a couple of weeks ago and the surgeon and our own physio are happy with the progress he's making."