Sussex could start the defence of their Championship without both their captain and vice-captain.

Skipper Chris Adams admits there is no guarantee he will be fit for the opener against Surrey on April 16 as he recovers from an operation to cure tennis elbow in January.

There will be no James Kirtley for any of Sussex's first three Championship games because of England tour commitments in the West Indies.

The county's vice-captain flies out with the rest of the one-day squad on April 7 and is not due to return until May 6, the day before Sussex's fourth Championship outing at Northampton.

Kirtley will also miss three limited overs fixtures including the C&G Trophy tie against Durham.

Adams, meanwhile, is hoping to play in Sussex's final warm-up match against the MCC at Lord's on April 9, but he will not take any risks.

"I had the operation on January 15 and it's three months before I'm fully recovered so it's tight," he said.

"It's a case of seeing how I am on a daily and weekly basis, but I'm pleased with my progress. I'm hitting hard balls again and the next stage is cricket balls."

Adams needed four scans before surgeons finally discovered a tear in the tendon of his left elbow.

"It took a long time to diagnose which is why I wasn't operated on earlier," he explained.

"Ideally I will have a run out against MCC and if it felt reasonable it would indicate whether playing against Surrey would be an option.

"But if it means missing a couple of games to make sure I'm okay for the rest of the season then fine.

"The surgeons have told me the longer I leave it the better because if it flares up again it's another operation and three months out which is the last thing I want."

Kirtley's absence is not the only concern for Adams and director of cricket Peter Moores when they sit down to choose the bowling attack for the opening games.

New signing Jason Voros is not available for the first fortnight of the season.

The 26-year-old has Hungarian parents and does not become English-qualified until May 1 when Hungary are admitted to the European Union.

It means the new ball is likely to be shared by new signing Mohammed Akram and Jason Lewry with Robin Martin-Jenkins operating as third seamer.

Leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is a certain starter but if the county decide to play a fourth seamer rather than off-spinner Mark Davis, as they did in the early weeks of last season, then opportunity knocks for the likes of Kevin Innes, who is fully fit after a winter groin operation, new signing Luke Wright and Carl Hopkinson.

Adams said: "Not having James or Jason available leaves us a little bit thin, but it also means there is an opportunity for a couple of guys to claim their place and have a crack at staying there.

"We've still got Akram, Lewry and Martin-Jenkins though who are all match-winners in their own right.

"Robin has done a lot of work on his bowling in the winter and seems to be maturing both as a cricketer and a person while Mo Akram is a massive signing for us.

"I'm convinced all 18 players in the squad will play first-class cricket at some stage this season. I know I said the same thing a year ago, but we were unsure about a couple of players.

"I'm sure quite a few counties would be happy to have Lewry, Akram and Martin-Jenkins as their front line seamers.

"We've got them and two quality performers to come back so there are lots of options."

Only Murray Goodwin was missing when the squad reported back to Hove yesterday to start their pre-season preparations.

The Zimbabwean is having some time off after a successful domestic season in Australia, but Moores expects him to play against the MCC.

Sussex play their first friendly against Nottinghamshire at Hove next Monday.