Sussex hope to see Stiaan Van Zyl fit and ready for action ahead of the 2019 season.

But head coach Jason Gillespie has confirmed his 2018 campaign is over.

The South African batsman has been absent due to a knee injury since early in the campaign.

He has returned home for rehabilitation.

Gillespie told The Argus: “He is getting his rehab. He won’t take further part this season.

“That decision was taken quite a while ago.

“His knee is on the improve but it’s very slow.

“He is not playing any cricket in South Africa but we have got excellent facilities for him to rehab in Cape Town.

“Hopefully he will be ready to go for pre-season next year.”

Van Zyl had targeted 1,000 runs this season plus an improved white-ball performance.

But he was laid low in the Championship defeat at Kent in mid-May.

He told The Argus in late April: “I think we have got a brilliant squad. There is no reason for us to not win one trophy this season.”