Sussex are unlikely to finalise the squad which will defend the Championship before the end of the month.

The county have just 15 contracted players at present following the departures of Billy Taylor and Paul Hutchison at the end of last season.

Another fast bowler and a batsman are on their shopping list while the situation regarding the second overseas' player remains unresolved.

The club are involved in negotiations with Gary Kirsten over a one-year contract, but the South African left-hander is not expected to make a decision on his long-term future until next week.

Kirsten was planning to retire at the conclusion of the current series against West Indies, but he may carry on to become the first South African to play in 100 Tests and bow out after next winter's home series against England. South Africa are also due to tour Sri Lanka in August which could affect his Sussex commitments.

If Kirsten turns down the county, it may open the door for Murray Goodwin to return to Hove for a fourth successive season.

Goodwin scored more than 1,400 Championship runs last summer including a new county record 335 in the last match against Leicestershire when Sussex clinched their first title.

His impressive form has continued this winter with 753 runs for Western Australia in the Pura Cup, including three centuries, at an average of 83.3.

There is a more pressing need to sign a new seamer and former Pakistani Test bowler Mohammad Akram remains their first choice, once he becomes English-qualified by residency.

Akram is certain to take the new ball at the start of the season with James Kirtley unavailable for the first four Championship games because of England's one-day series in the Caribbean and new signing Jason Voros ineligible until May 1 when Hungary join the EU and he becomes English-qualified through his Hungarian father.

Moores said: "There are still two or three issues which need to be sorted out and I would hope that the squad will have settled down by the end of the month.

"With regard to Gary Kirsten, we are waiting for a window when we can sort things out with him and I suppose there would be a natural break for him to look at his options after the West Indies series ends next week."