Sussex fast bowler Billy Taylor will be fit for the new season despite suffering a stress fracture of his ankle.

The injury was diagnosed just three weeks after the 23-year-old had linked up with club side Foxton in New Zealand's North Island for the second winter running.

Rest is the only cure and Taylor is confident he will be firing on all cylinders when Sussex head for their pre-season tour of Grenada in March.

He said: "I first started to feel it about three weeks from the end of last season, but I had a few weeks off before I went to New Zealand and there didn't seem to be a problem.

"I played three games for Foxton but it appears as if I aggrevated it and that's when the extent of the injury was diagnosed.

"All I can do now is rest and then get back into the gym in February and build up my fitness again.

"It's frustrating because I'd taken 18 wickets for Foxton and was really flying, but if you're going to get an injury that can keep you out for three months then the best time to get it is in the winter and not during the season.

"I'll definitely be okay for the pre-season tour, but in the meantime I will just have to take it easy."

Taylor played in four Championship games last season, but he was a regular member of the National League side and took 13 wickets.