Mushtaq Ahmed is to see a knee specialist tomorrow amid growing fears about his Sussex future.

The 38-year-old leg spinner, who had knee surgery in May, was not fit to bowl as the county slumped to a second successive home Championship defeat against Lancashire yesterday.

Skipper Chris Adams said: "We're are going to have to face up to life without him.

"We were hoping the three-week break he had and good work with the physio would sort things out but it hasn't.

"The romantic view is that he will be fine after two weeks of strengthening exercises but the realistic view is that there are more problems with his knee and we will have to make a decision on what is best for him and the club.

"It is getting to the stage where we have got to try and win games without him and treat it as a bonus if he does play.

"I think he will - but we owe it to him to make sure that the next time he does he will not do so having undergone excruciating pain."

In his first game back after three weeks out with knee ligament damage Mushtaq bowled 33 overs but was clearly in agony.

Adams added: "It's unlikely he is going to be back to where he would like to be at all this season.

"He is downhearted and has really struggled to deal with the situation but he owes us nothing. For once, we owe it to him to allow him to play when he is in some sort of physical shape.

"He loves this place and if he could physically continue he would play forever but we have to be realistic."

Adams admitted that if Mushtaq is sidelined for any length of time the club might consider signing another overseas player to replace him.

The county's next game is not until July 16 against Hampshire at Arundel.

Adams said: "It is not a nice thing for him or the club. We have to find out what the problem is and make a long-term decision based on the prognosis from the specialist."

Mushtaq has been the key figure in the most successful period in Sussex's history.

He has been leading wicket-taker for the past five seasons, helping the county win three Championships and two one-day trophies.

Can Sussex win matches without Mushy? Let us know below