Sussex have been dealt a double blow due to England’s pursuit of the Ashes.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior will not play any part in Sussex’s Twenty20 Cup campaign after being ordered to rest an injured finger.

Sussex have also agreed to release Mushtaq Ahmed from his coaching contract to enable him to increase his work with the national side.

Prior was expected to join up with the Sharks for tonight’s televised game against Essex Eagles at Hove after helping England win the one-day international series against the West Indies.

The 27-year-old hit 87 in the convincing victory at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

However England coach Andy Flower is unwilling for him to risk the right ring finger he damaged in the second Test at Chester-le-Street ten days ago.

Prior will be available for Sussex’s Championship match against Yorkshire on June 6 however to enable him to prepare for the first Test against Australia on July 8.

Flower said: "Matt will be rested for the Twenty20 Cup as he needs to allow time for his finger to recover properly."

Mushtaq was contracted to spend 40 days coaching at Hove this summer but has become such a key part of the England set-up he will now only work with Sussex on an informal basis.

The former Pakistan leg-spinner will help prepare the Sharks for tonight’s game against Essex (7.10pm) and tomorrow’s visit of Hampshire before joining up with England again.

Sussex coach Mark Robinson said: "It is a great opportunity for Mushy and we were quite happy to back down and allow him to work with the England team more.

"This is about winning the Ashes and if we can do our bit to make that dream come true then we are happy to help.

"There are not many Mushtaq Ahmed’s around and we will miss him but he is still going to be around and I’ll still be speaking to him on a regular basis."

Sussex will assess Murray Goodwin’s hand injury before deciding whether to recall him for tonight’s game but Rory Hamilton-Brown is fit despite dislocating a finger at the Oval on Tuesday.