Alex Harrison, the former Sussex and English Schools' captain, believes he has found a new route into professional football in the United States.

The striker, from Polegate, has won a series of national awards after just three months at Central Connecticut College. He has scored ten goals in 16 games, including seven match-winners, and been credited with four assists.

His awards include North Eastern Conference Rookie of the Year and a place in the All-American Freshman X1.

Harrison, 20, said: "I've had a few trials with English professional clubs like Ipswich, Cambridge, Colchester and Rushden and Diamonds.

"But now I've increased my options. I could turn professional in America or come back to England.

"When I first went to America I doubted the standard but not now.

"There's more emphasis on being stronger and quicker, but there is quality.

"I haven't had any regrets about going across there. It's been amazing."

Sussex Schools' FA face a fixture pile-up after six matches were postponed because of rain over the holidays.

The under-14s, under-15s and under-16s were scheduled to face Kent and Essex in the South East Region Championships at Steyning.

Sussex Schools' under-19s, the league leaders, meet Norfolk in the regional championship at Steyning on January 28.

Manager Ian Hutchings said: "We are confident we can take another step towards winning the whole thing.

"Hopefully we'll be lucky with the weather. The postponements in the other age groups have created big problems for the administrators."

Russell Martin (Varndean, Brighton and Hove), a member of the county squad, will attend English Schools' under-18s final trials at Lilleshall this weekend.

Sussex teacher Vic Bragg is England manager and head of Albion's Centre of Excellence at Worthing.

Albion's Centre of Excellence set-up resumed training after the holiday break this week at Worthing and Eastbourne with a third session at Falmer tomorrow.

Seagulls under-nines and under-tens play Orient away on Sunday.

The under-11s entertain Bournemouth at Falmer while the under-14s and under-15s are away to the Cherries.