Andrew Hodd believes he can play a part in Sussex's bid for a County Championship hat-trick - even if it is not from behind the stumps.

The talented wicketkeeper believes he is good enough to force his way into the side as a batsman.

Of course, the 25-year-old would love to be keeping wicket as well especially following his performances in 2007.

Hodd was one of the successes of last season after he came into the side when Matt Prior got his England chance.

He scored centuries against India and Yorkshire and his keeping, which he regards as the strongest element of his game, was praised by team-mates and opponents alike.

Hodd signed a new two-year contract at the end of the season and all seemed right in his world.

But then Prior's inconsistent performances with the gloves in Sri Lanka at the end of last year cost him his England place.

The selectors have told him to work on his game in county cricket which means he will start the new season behind the stumps - leaving Hodd potentially facing another frustrating period in his career.

He left Sussex in 2004 in search of regular first-team cricket when Prior and Tim Ambrose were battling it out for the gloves at Hove.

After two unproductive years at the Oval he was happy to return as understudy to Prior in 2006 when Ambrose left to join Warwickshire.

Hodd said: "I don't think Matt has been treated fairly but it doesn't leave me in a great position.

"It's good for Sussex because it strengthens the team and I realise Matt will have the gloves at the start of the season because he wants to get back into the England team.

"But it leaves me a little bit lost. All I want to do is play cricket, whether I try and compete with Matt for the gloves or just bat."

Hodd is a more natural keeper than Prior but his rival definitely has the edge with the bat. And Hodd is right - having someone with a Test hundred and 15 other first-class centuries under his belt can only improve Sussex's bid for a Championship hat-trick.

But could he squeeze into the top six somewhere else? Richard Montgomerie's retirement leaves Sussex short of an opener and although Carl Hopkinson, who did the job throughout the 2006 season, has stronger claims than Hodd in terms of his experience in the role, Hodd showed enough last year to suggest he possesses the temperament and technique to cope with the new ball.

"I think there is a batsman's spot open but we have signed Rory Hamilton-Brown, who is a specialist batter, and there are youngsters like Michael Thornely coming through as well as Hoppo," added Hodd. "We're all fighting for one spot which means healthy competition and it will be hard work.

"But it's not the same as 2004 for me because I have a bit more behind me now. Last year I kept well and got runs so I know it's not beyond me.

"Everyone tells me to stay positive but I know how strong our team is and you have to be realistic. But I will still work my butt off.

"I will always keep my wicketkeeping going because it is more natural for me and I have every faith in Matt to get back into the England reckoning anyway."

It is not just Prior who Hodd regards as a serious rival for the gloves either.

Ben Brown, one of the stars of England's unsuccessful campaign in the Under-19 World Cup, could turn out to be better than both of them.

"I can't let my own game slip because we both have Ben snapping at our heels now," added Hodd.

"Every level Ben has played at he has done brilliantly. If he gets chucked in at the deep end I'm sure he will take his chance.

"I played for in an under-19 World Cup as well but I'd say Brownie is more developed than I was at that age. He's got a decent head on his shoulders, he's a clever guy and has quite a bit of cricket nous. He has been around our first-team squad since he was 15 and in that environment you grow up quickly."

Hodd has just returned from a ten-day trip to the cricket school in Mumbai and admits the change of scene did him good.

"It was a great experience to get out of your comfort zone and experience something totally different," he said.

"You don't want to change your own game necessarily but coaching over there is a lot less technical. They play as much as they can and talk about the game for the rest of the time.

"I worked with their coaches and we had some good sessions with ex-Test batsmen including Mohammad Azharuddin, who was awesome. I learned a lot.

"It was a fantastic experience. I had been told some horror stories about going there and I was expecting to lose some weight but I put on 3kg which was a bit of a shock!"