Chris Adams believes Sussex are among the top four one-day sides in the country even if they do not land the Pro40 League title tomorrow.

The C&G Trophy winners are chasing the second part of a treble at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire.

If they win and leaders Essex lose to relegation-threatened Durham at the Riverside they will be champions a year after lifting the second division. Any other scenario and Essex will retain the title.

It's a tall order but Adams is hoping for a twist in the tale. And whatever happens he is proud of the improvements his side have made in one-day cricket while maintaining their formidable record in Championship cricket.

He said: "A couple of years ago we were one of the top eight one-day sides because we kept getting knocked out in quarter-finals.

"If we finish first or second tomorrow it will confirm that we are one of the top four one-day teams and that is some achievement.

"We have put a lot of emphasis on improving our one-day cricket in the last two years and have managed to do so without taking anything away from the Championship.

"The players deserve a lot of credit for that because it is not easy to switch emphasis from one competition to another."

Essex have led the table from the start and it is hard to see Ronnie Irani's side slipping up.

But Durham have the incentive of knowing that victory might be enough to keep them out of the two automatic relegation places.

"We are in the same position Durham were in last season when we were both in Division Two and they were hoping for us to slip up. It's Essex's title to lose," said Adams.

"Durham have not had the best of one-day seasons but they are a dangerous side and they can beat Essex on their day."

Essex have already beaten Sussex three times in limited-overs cricket and Adams has paid a glowing tribute to Irani and his men.

"They are the toughest side we have played in one-day cricket this season," he said. "They have a well balanced team and their strength lies in their big match players. They hit you hard at the start with Ronnie opening and scoring big hundreds and Darren Gough and Andy Bichel with the new ball."

Sussex will have all their big guns back after Adams and Mike Yardy missed last Sunday's win over Middlesex and Rana Naved returns to make his first appearance in the competition.

Adams added: "Rana is so up for this game and the last Championship match it's untrue."

Sussex (probable): Montgomerie, Prior, Adams, Goodwin, Yardy, Hopkinson, Martin-Jenkins, Wright, Rana Naved, Mushtaq Ahmed, Kirtley.