Tim Ambrose and Mike Yardy are getting more opportunity to prove they can take Tony Cottey's place in the Sussex middle order.

While Cottey prepares to play his last game for Sussex today after six years with the county, the future looks bright for the batsmen they are putting their faith in as his replacement.

With no money to finance a high profile replacement, Sussex are banking on either Ambrose or Yardy to come through.

Ambrose has had his poorest season since coming onto the staff in 2001, averaging just 17.13 before he lost his place in the Championship team to Cottey at the end of July.

But the 22-year-old has talent to burn. Only a year ago he was being mentioned as an England player of the future and, as an accomplished wicketkeeper, he gives the county an extra selection option.

Sussex have offered him a two-year extension which would keep him at Hove until 2007.

Yardy seems to have been living on the edge since he came onto the staff four years ago, but the 23-year-old's improved performances, particularly in one-day cricket, have persuaded Sussex to give him a two-year deal.

"I feel I've improved a lot this season but that's because I didn't put too much pressure on myself," said Yardy.

"I thought that if it was going to be my last year I would just relax and enjoy it. It's nice that my improvement has been acknowledged by the club, but the hard work is only starting really and I know that.

"Now Cotts is going there is a slot there in the Championship side which I would like, but so would Tim Ambrose, Carl Hopkinson and Luke Wright.

"It's nice being in form at the moment but what matters is how we're doing at the start of next season, that's when it counts."

To improve his play against spin, the left-hander is hoping to some time in the sub-continent at the start of 2005.

"I want to go away for a couple of months and although India and Pakistan are not as glamorous as South Africa or Australia, it's the best place to learn how to play spin," he added.

"Robin Martin-Jenkins did it and you could see how much better it made him against spin. I might only learn one thing but it will be worth it if it makes me a better cricketer."

Cottey is convinced the county's future is in good hands.

He knows Ambrose particularly well, having shared a flat with him for three years, and believes he will come good again.

"Every player is bound to have a dip in form and Tim is fortunate in a way that it's happened to him quite young. But he's an awesome player," he said.

"Yards has always had a good head on his shoulders but he's been a bit more adventurous this season with his batting which is probably because he feels more confident.

"He's always had a lot of talent and he's still hard to get out.

"Carl Hopkinson is another player who will be after that slot. He hasn't had many opportunities but he's got a real talent as well and he's a fantastic fielder."

Sussex have offered new one-year contracts to Mark Davis, Jason Lewry and Hopkinson as well as giving Academy pair Neil Turk and Chris Nash places on the professional staff, for one year at least.

One-year extensions will keep Richard Montgomerie, Martin-Jenkins, Wright and Mushtaq Ahmed at Hove until the end of 2006.

Director of cricket Peter Moores is thrilled that his star turn is prepared to commit himself to Sussex for another two years, by which time he will be 36.

Mushtaq has been rejuvenated since coming to the south coast. He is leading wicket-taker for the second year running, the first time that has happened since 1979, and, if Sussex had allowed him to go at the end of next season, all other 17 first-class counties would probably have been interesting in signing him.

"In cricketing-terms, Mushy seems to be getting younger," said Moores.

"You can tell that in the way he fields and bats as much as his phenomenal bowling.

"If we'd let him go someone would have snapped him up straight away. He's a very good pro and a fantastic bowler."

Cottey will make his final appearance for Sussex when the last Championship game of the season against Surrey gets under way at Hove today (10.30am).

With Mohammad Akram still not match-fit because of a back strain, Sussex will field the side which secured Division One status with last week's rain-affected draw against Gloucestershire.

Andrew Hodd, who left Sussex to move to the Oval in the winter, will be Surrey's 12th man.

Sussex: Ward, Montgomerie, Goodwin, Adams, Cottey, Prior, Martin-Jenkins, Davis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Kirtley, Lewry
Surrey: Newman, Clinton, Butcher, Ramprakash, Batty, Brown, Clarke, Murtagh, Bicknell, Ormond, Doshi