Director of cricket Peter Moores today back Sussex's out of form openers to come good.

Richard Montgomerie has scored just 46 runs in seven Championship innings while Ian Ward has only one first-class fifty to his name this season.

Montgomerie, in particular, is under threat from youngsters like Tim Ambrose, Luke Wright and Chris Nash, who have all scored heavily in second team cricket this season.

Both Montgomerie and Ward were hoping to end their poor run at Hove today where Sussex were facing a challenging chase in their attempt to beat Middlesex.

Moores said: "I'm confident both will come through. They are both experienced players whose form and ability say they will both score runs at this level.

"Getting good starts is very important and it hasn't happened for us yet and anyone who isn't scoring consistently can find themselves under pressure. That's the nature of the game."

The comforting thing for Moores is that he knows there are players desperate to show what they can do.

He said: "In the seconds this week Luke Wright made 140, Chris Nash 92 and Tim Ambrose batted and kept wicket really well.

"We have a very competitive squad and to know that there are good players doing well and ready to come into the mix is a great thing for a coach."

Meanwhile former England player Chris Schofield is heading to Hove on trial.

The 26-year-old all-rounder has disappeared off the radar since playing twice for England in 2000. He won £7,000 when an employment tribunal upheld his case against Lancashire for wrongful dismissal at the end of last season after he was released by the Old Trafford club.

Schofield is playing minor counties cricket for Cheshire and has already had a second team trial for Durham. Moores coached him on an England A tour in 2001.

Moores said: "He's going to come down and have a game. Schoey is a talented lad but the question is can he release that talent and learn from the experiences he's been through. We will have a look at him and take it from there."