STIAAN VAN ZYL is poised to make his Sussex comeback after serious injury.

But the county will tread carefully with their South African batsman as they prepare for the 2019 season.

Sussex take on Kent in 50-overs contests today and tomorrow as part of their two-week pre-season in Cape Town.

Van Zyl, whose 2018 campaign was ruined by a knee injury in May, is with the squad and hopes to get game time.

Head coach Jason Gillespie said: “We are monitoring how he is going. We expect him to play some games.”

Gillespie teamed up with the Sussex squad – minus those on Twenty20 duty elsewhere – at the start of the week.

His message will be a familiar one as the first run out gets under way at Stellenbosch University.

Gillespie told the Argus: “This is an opportunity for the lads to put into practice their individual work from the off-season.

“We want to play with positive intent and have fun.”

David Wiese, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills and Phil Salt remain involved in the PSL and Lawrie Evans has only recently been knocked out.

Sussex will have Mir Hamza on board for the middle part of the season.

It remains unclear whether Sussex will make an early-season signing to cover for IPL absentees although it is understood they are keeping that option open.

Jofra Archer will again play for Rajasthan Royals and Sussex will be aware that Jordan, while not yet signed to an Indian franchise, could go at short notice should any teams need a replacement player.

Jordan’s stock is back on the rise after his sensational T20 series with England in the Caribbean.

Cricket returns to the 1st Central County Ground a week on Monday when Hampshire visit for a friendly.