Sussex are to sign a short-term overseas player after Mushtaq Ahmed was ruled out for up to a month following successful knee surgery.

Skipper Chris Adams is confident the new man will be in the side for their next Championship match against Hampshire at Arundel next Wednesday.

Mushtaq, 38, had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right knee on Monday, the second time he has undergone the operation in two months.

But it was not close to the original injury and Mushtaq could be back for Sussex's match against Lancashire at Old Trafford on August 6.

He said: "The tear was bigger than the first one but the surgeon thinks I should be able to play again this season.

"I am on crutches for four to five days and I go back to the surgeon next Monday when I should be able start rehabilitation.

"I recovered well from the last operation and if I do my fitness work I will be playing again soon."

The search for a replacement for Mushtaq started at the end of last week when it was decided that he needed further surgery.

Adams said: "It would have been nice to go with what we've got but we owe it to everyone to get the best possible player we can.

"We are on the case but it comes down to availability and who statistically provides us with the best chance of winning matches while Mushtaq is recovering."

If Mushtaq returns against Lancashire he will have missed two Championship and three Pro40 League games but Adams says his star leg spinner will not be rushed back.

He added: "At a push he could be available for Lancashire but it's touch and go and that is the best case scenario."

Robinson said Mushtaq is helping Sussex find his replacement which suggests the player concerned could come from Pakistan.

Indian spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, whom Sussex tried to sign before opting for Mushtaq in 2003, were both on their radar but they have been selected for India's forthcoming Test series against Sri Lanka which rules them out.

New Zealand's left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was another name under consideration but Sussex may opt instead to go for a proven quick bowler, something that has been missing from their attack since Ryan Harris returned to Australia in April after playing just one match for the county.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire are confident of keeping opening batsman Stephen Moore who is a target for five counties including Sussex.

Essex, Northants, Derbyshire and Glamorgan are also in the hunt for the 27-year-old who is out of contract at the end of the season.

But Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton believes South African-born Moore will stay at New Road.

Newton said: "Stephen has said he wants to play his cricket at Worcester and we want him to play out his career at Worcestershire.

"It is a discussion we will have with his agent, hopefully over the next two to three weeks.

"But there are five counties who have now given 28 days' notice of approach. Essex have been added to the previous list of Sussex, Derbyshire, Glamorgan and Northants.

"When that happens to any player they just want to see what the ramifications are.

"But cricketers don't tend to move unless there is a really compelling reason to move. That boils down to two things - playing regularly in the first team and money. This is no different to any other situation."

Who would you like to see Sussex bring in?