Ben Brown is convinced Sussex were right to rest Ollie Robinson.

The fast bowler missed the defeat by Lancashire after a demanding start to the season.

Sussex will name their squad to visit Northamptonshire on Thursday later this week.

Brown said the decision to leave Robinson out was purely for rest and not related to any injury or niggle.

The Sussex skipper said: “We see a bigger picture for Ollie. We want to protect. We want guys to go and play for England from this squad.

“There are guys who can do it and Ollie is no different.

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“We are trying to rest him.

“The science of it would be the spike in the overs he bowled at Glamorgan often means that, two games down the line, if you keep going, you will get problems.

“We have just tried to pre-empt that a little bit.

“Yes, to leave a guy like Ollie out of your side is hard.

“But we think for the long-term benefit of Ollie and the club it was the best thing to do.”

Phil Salt remains absent due to a bone fracture in his foot.

Brown said: “Salty is still recovering.

“He is out of his moon boot but he is still a little way off.”

England fast bowler Jofra Archer is expected to play for Sussex 2nd XI today as he continues his recovery from a hand injury.

Archer is set to feature in the three-day Championship fixture versus Surrey behind closed doors at Hove.

Initial suggestions were he would be heading to Northampton with the first team this week.

It now appears more likely he will have a role to play in Sussex’s next home Championship fixture, versus Kent at the 1st Central County Ground from next Thursday.