Cricket manager Mark Robinson says there is little Sussex can do to cut through the red tape which is disrupting their preparations for the new season.

Both Corey Collymore and the county’s as yet unidentified overseas fast bowler have still not received their visas and Sussex do not expect the situation to change until Tuesday at the earliest because of the Easter holiday.

Neither will play in Wednesday’s three-day friendly against Cambridge UCCE at Fenners.

Robinson said: “It’s a nightmare but there is nothing we can do. Their applications are with their relevant Home Offices but in Corey’s case his documentation has had to be sent to America.

“Our new bowler has already cancelled two flights and at the moment it is guesswork as to when they will arrive.”

Robinson is refusing to say who their short-term replacement for Yasir Arafat is “in case it all goes wrong and we end up with egg on our faces.”

But he will need to be registered by April 19 - when Sussex start their competitive fixtures in the FP Trophy against Gloucestershire - because all overseas players need to be contracted for a minimum of 21 days.

Sussex are still hoping that Yasir Arafat will be available for three weeks after Pakistan’s series against Australia finishes on May 7 before linking up with his national side for the Twenty20 World Cup.

But the county have yet to receive confirmation from the Pakistan authorities, muddying the waters still further.

What is clear is that Sussex may have to pitch both Collymore and their new signing straight into the side for the Championship opener against Lancashire on April 21 - assuming, of course, that their visas have turned up.

Sussex are not alone in suffering this bureacratic nightmare. Warwickshire have been unable to register New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel as their overseas player while Kent coach Graham Ford’s return to Canterbury could be delayed for another three weeks.

At least the county’s injury crisis is starting to ease.

Both Ragheb Aga and Chris Nash were due to play in yesterday’s friendly against Kent which was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain.

James Kirtley’s shoulder problem is improving all the time and he could face the students next week while Pepler Sandri is hoping to start bowling again on Monday, although his return to full fitness is still at least ten days away.

Jason Lewry has been signed off for a minimum of two weeks because of glandular fever but Robinson was cheered by the performance of England all-rounder Luke Wright in the win over Kent on Thursday when he scored 88 and took three wickets in his first bowl since injuring his ankle playing for England Lions last month.

Robinson added: “I’ve been pleased with pre-season overall.

“Ed Joyce has fitted in really well in the squad, there is a battle royal going on among our three spinners and there is good competition for places in the side at Bristol next week throughout the squad.

“Mike Yardy has stamped his authority on the captaincy already and fitness-wise this is the best conditioned Sussex squad we have ever had.”

All Robinson needs now is some good news in the post - and the sooner the better.

Who would be in your bowling attack for Sussex's Championship opener?