Sussex plan to unleash a potent new-ball attack in their first match of the season.

But Indian run-machine Cheteshwar Pujara will not be around to face Northants in the opening fixture of the Vitality County Championship.

Ollie Robinson and Jayden Seales will spearhead the attack as division two action gets under way.

Sussex are looking to push hard for promotion having come third last season.

That bid starts when relegated Northants come to the 1st Central County Ground from Friday.

Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace said: “Puj has had a small back injury which the medical team in India have been managing.

“He will arrive during the first game here and will be available for six of the first seven rather than all seven right at the start of the season.

“Ollie Robinson is available for us on Friday, which is great.

“Jayden Seales has been here for a week already and has been bowling in the middle along with Oliver for the last few days so it looks quite encouraging that we have that strength in depth at the start of the season.

“But you always need plenty of bowlers.

“Jayden being here and bowling quickly.

“A really good professional and a great fella, h has been sensational.

“You want your players to look at those players and think, ‘I want to be like that’.

“The more good players you have around, the better.”

New signing John Simpson will captain Sussex in the Championship and it is also likely he will play that role in 50-over cricket.

Tymal Mills will skipper the T20 side.

Simpson will keep wicket throughout the campaign and Oli Carter is likely to play as a specialist batsman after scoring 779 Championship runs at an average of 39 last season.

Carter will get an early chance against Northants with Pujara absent.