James Kirtley is confident he will get the go-ahead to resume his Sussex career.

The county's vice-captain heads to Loughborough tomorrow to have his re-modelled bowling action tested.

Kirtley, 31, is currently suspended after he was reported for a suspect action in two Championship matches last season.

And he admitted today that the thought of not being able to play again when the new season starts next month is a scary prospect.

Accompanied by Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson, Kirtley's new-look action will be filmed by specialist cameras which take 25 frames per second to make sure it conforms with the law which allows bowlers 15 per cent flexibility in their bowling arm, 50 per cent more than when Kirtley was first reported and cleared four years ago.

Kirtley has been working with Robinson and ECB bowling coach Troy Cooley since October on his action.

He said: "We're confident. We wouldn't be doing the test if we weren't. It has to be done. I'm suspended at the moment and I want to clear my name. It's a scary prospect not being able to play again but we believe we've done the work. We can't have done any more."

Kirtley has gradually been lengthening his run-up as he gains in confidence.

Meanwhile, Mushtaq Ahmed has committed himself to Sussex after turning down the chance to join Pakistan's coaching set-up on a permanent basis. Mushtaq, 35, wants to continue his Sussex career until the end of the 2007 season.