Jason Gillespie believes Sussex star Jofra Archer is a potential international.

He is not exactly alone in that.

But he will reserve judgement on what that could mean for the county in the relatively near future until he knows whether regulations ruling him out of the England set-up are relaxed.

Archer has stated his intent to play for England rather than the West Indies and currently has to wait until 2022 for that to happen.

Recent reports suggest that could change and he might be in the clear in the time for the World Cup next year.

That sounds an exciting prospect for Archer, even if England skipper Eoin Morgan has played down the prospect of him getting involved.

But it could leave Sussex without one of their star attractions for pretty much the whole season.

They are already getting used to the idea of him not being around for the opening weeks of future campaigns due to the IPL.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a first call-up to the big league this year and shone with the ball for over-achieving Rajasthan Royals.

Barring a dramatic change in form or fitness, another call from India next year looks a certainty.

Back at Hove, it would be a shock if chief executive Rob Andrew and head coach Gillespie were not already alive to that possibility.

Making plans? That bit might have to follow when they know exactly what the situation is for the 2019 season and beyond.

Archer still seems to have only just burst on to the scene.

But he has grown up quickly and the time when they face life without Jofra might not be that far away for Sussex.

Gillespie said: “At the moment I’m only hearing the rumour and hearsay that everyone else is.

“The only thing I can see is do the ECB want to get in line with the ICC? I don’t know.

“Potentially he is international quality but, until he plays international cricket, we won’t know.

“He had a whirlwind winter and played a lot of T20 cricket.”

Sussex’s season has had a lull of late in terms of first-team action.

It will burst into frantic activity soon enough with the Vitality Blast.

And that is a time when Archer could come into his own as part of a T20 attack about which Gillespie cannot – and has no wish to – conceal his excitement.

The Sussex coach has had time to work with his fast bowler in the weeks since the IPL finished. His key message has been to keep it simple.

Gilespie said: “I’ve spoken to Jofra about just backing his best ball, not trying to bowl six different balls in an over.

“I like to see a patient Jofra coming in and doing what he does best which is firing in and hitting off stump hard and challenging a batsman’s defence.

“He had, it has to be said, a life-changing winter. We need to make sure he is focused on the task in hand which is playing well for Sussex.

“All the other stuff takes care of itself if he just does his job here at Sussex.

“At his best, he is very disciplined, very patient.

“He runs in and hits that spot on the wicket consistently, just hitting the shoe box on a good length as I call it. Just keep bashing that shoe box!”