Sussex will be without two key players as they bid to get their championship promotion challenge back on track against Worcestershire at Horsham on Wednesday.

Skipper Chris Adams has to attend his grandfather's funeral in his native Derbyshire and Robin Martin-Jenkins is still troubled by a side strain.

Martin-Jenkins bowled only three overs during yesterday's National League defeat at Glamorgan and conceded 20 runs. He was unable to return for a second spell.

Adams has already missed one Championship match after a broken thumb sidelined him for three weeks last month.

He said: "It's been a stop-start season for me so far. I did consider playing against Worcestershire and just going up for the day for the funeral, but I think that would be unfair to the other players."

Adams has already stated that he wants to rotate his bowlers in order to keep them fresh during a long season.

Martin-Jenkins was troubled by a side strain last season and the problem flared up as Sussex's Championship match against Hampshire petered out to a draw on Saturday.

Adams added: "I've said already this season I want to protect the bowlers and this may be the time to rest someone."

Mark Robinson, a regular in the one-day side this season, is Martin-Jenkins' likely replacement, although fit-again Billy Taylor has produced some decent performances in the second team since recovering from ankle surgery and a broken finger.

Adams' place, meanwhile, will go to either Will House or Tony Cottey.

House could get the nod after scoring 80 in the Seconds last week, while Cottey, who is just back after three weeks out with tennis elbow, made scores of two and eight.

Defeat yesterday means Sussex have lost two matches out of three in the National League, although all their matches have been away from home.

Sussex II start a four-day game against Surrey at Hove tomorrow (11am).