Sussex hoping to have Ollie Robinson back for Durham clash as seamer troubles continue

Robinson has recently been fighting off an infection picked up from a routine trip to the dentist, which led to him spending several days in bed with a fever and contributed to Sussex's seamer drought

Sussex are hopeful to have Ollie Robinson available for the LV= Insurance County Championship game against Durham, but head coach Ian Salisbury has once again stressed that the decision is out of the club's hands.

Robinson, who holds an ECB central contract, suffered repeated back spams while away on England duty over the winter, which delayed his return to domestic action at the start of the new season.

He has recently been fighting off an infection, which led to him spending several days in bed with a fever and contributed to Sussex's seamer drought.

Speaking after the defeat by Worcestershire, Salisbury said: "He's an ECB-contracted player. I'm really hopeful he can play for us next week but that's out of our hands.

^{Ollie Robinson is centrally contracted by the ECB [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

"That's just how it is. We've got seven frontline bowlers who are out of action at present and that makes it difficult."

Sussex, who have lost two and drawn one of their first three matches of the new season, have been dealt a further blow by the news Grant Stewart's loan spell from Kent will only last one match.

Stewart made his debut against Worcestershire but has now been recalled by his parent club, who are experiencing injury issues of their own.

Sussex are currently without Jofra Archer, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, George Garton, Robinson and Steve Finn. 

"Robinson is potentially the only one out of the seven [who might be available for Durham] and unfortunately Grant has been recalled by Kent as well," Salisbury said.

“I don't look for excuses but as things stand at the moment, anyone trying to put together a side in my side would find it very difficult at present."

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