Sussex League: Eastbourne admit they could get caught up in a relegation struggle.

The Saffrons outfit host Worthing, the team immediately below them, tomorrow anxious to stop a run of three defeats in the Shepherd Neame League.

Tomorrow's fixtures are reversed next weekend, meaning the relegation issue could become a lot clearer in the next nine days.

Stirlands, currently bottom, face leaders Hastings twice in that time.

Eastbourne started the season with a flourish but skipper Paul Hacker admits they have lost their way of late.

He said: "The thought of relegation is becoming a concern.

"It never has been in the past but we need to realise it is a possibility."

Former Cambridge University opener Alex Symcox could make a comeback but prolific run scorer Paul Stevens is unavailable.

At the top, Hastings are doing all they can to play down title talk but skipper Jason Finch admits a double-header with Stirlands represents "a window of opportunity."

Not least because two of their closest rivals, East Grinstead and Steyning, meet each other over the next two weekends.

Grinstead have put plans to sign former Sussex spinner Justin Bates on hold but their slow bowling attack is boosted by the return of Craig Fowle.

Three Bridges, currently in good form, have home games against Horsham tomorrow and the Sussex Development XI on sunday.

Horsham are struggling for seam bowlers at the moment.

Brighton and Hove, another side climbing the table, expect to be without Bas Zuiderent for the visit of Chichester.