Three into two doesn't go as Sussex's aspiring batsmen are about to discover.

The probable elevation of new overseas player Murray Goodwin to the opener's role means that one, or possibly two, slots are up for grabs when the county start the new season against Worcestershire next Wednesday.

The likes of Michael Yardy and Dominic Clapp will probably have to stake their claims in the second XI - at least at the start of the season.

Which leaves Will House, Jamie Carpenter and Bas Zuiderent in the frame for the opener at New Road.

It's no surprise after such a wet winter that the early season pitches the county have come across since they came back from their tour of Grenada have been damp and seam, rather than spin, friendly.

New Road, which has been flooded five times since the end of last season, will be no different. That could mean Umer Rashid or, as seems more likely, Mark Davis missing out and Sussex playing an extra pace bowler or going in with the insurance of another batsman.

If that's the case then House, who bowls useful little seamers, looks likely to get the nod to bat, possibly in his preferred spot at No 4.

The 26-year-old made five Championship appearances in his first season with the county after joining on a two-year contract with Kent, scoring a modest 90 runs.

But he seldom played two games consecutively and is desperate for the chance to prove his is an unfulfilled talent worth persevering with.

"Personally I felt last season was a mixed year for me cricket-wise," he said.

"A few of the guys would have given a lot to play as many Championship games as I did, but other than the first two I never played two in a row and that was difficult.

"When I came in it was usually because someone was injured or unavaliable and that puts a lot of pressure on you to perform, you feel as if you have to put in a performance."

House's aim this year has to be to develop a method of playing which keeps him at the crease while making sure he doesn't curb the natural aggression which helped him hold down a regular place in Sussex's one-day side last season.

He also loves bowling and would be delighted to perform a fill-in role as a fourth seamer for his captain.

"Bowling well does take a bit of pressure off your batting because you feel you you've contributed before you even go out to bat," he added. "If I can perform a holding role which enables the other bowlers to have a breather then great."

Zuiderent, who is in his third year on the staff, has yet to make a Championship appearance for the county while Carpenter's last game in the competition was back in 1997 when he was thrown into the side almost in desperation as the county looked for a quick fix for their batting ills.

House believes both his team-mates are now ready for an extended run, providing, of course, that it's not at his expense!

He said: "Bas is one of the most naturally gifted strikers of the ball I've ever come across while Carps is a well organised player now, he knows his scoring areas well.

"The club's decision not to bring in a new batsman was a boost to every batter on the staff because there will be opportunities for all of us this season, we know that and what's expected of us."

All three will be looking for new contracts at the end of the season.

But House, who made a century on his first class debut for Cambridge University, doesn't spend sleepless nights worrying about what life holds in store for him beyond the end of the season.

"Without Michael Bevan this year all the batsman have got to shoulder a bit more responsibility. We all know that if our own games improve and the side does well then the club will want us to stay," he added.

"We're a young, closely-knit squad which doesn't carry anyone and I think that will count for quite a lot."