Rory Hamilton-Brown will talk to former Surrey and England captain Alec Stewart before deciding whether to return to the Oval.

The 22-year-old all-rounder is close to making a decision on whether to accept Surrey’s offer of the captaincy but admitted it would be a “dream job.”

Surrey’s Cricket Manager Chris Adams flew to South Africa last week to talk to Hamilton-Brown after they were given permission by Sussex to approach him.

Since returning home from the England Performance squad on Thursday Hamilton-Brown has held discussions with Sussex coach Mark Robinson.

But he will make his final decision after talking to family and close friends including Stewart, who also acts as his agent.

Hamilton-Brown played youth cricket for Surrey and had three years on the professional staff before joining Sussex and his ties with the Oval remain strong.

He said: “Sussex would be a very hard place to leave. Pretty much everyone who goes there and buys into the culture of the club would say the same.

“The only reason I would even think about would be the job that has been offered.

“It’s my dream and something I have grown up wanting to do all my life.

“There are strong pulls both ways. It is a bit of a balancing act weighing up my options but I will make a final decision soon and one I will be happy with.”

Surrey wwere given permission to talk to him on November 13 and Hamilton-Brown admits he has thought about little else in the intervening five weeks.

“Obviously the approach was made and it has been out there for a while and it is probably time to make a decision and move it forward.”

Adams flew to Pretoria and back in just over 24 hours during which time he held what he described as “positive” discussions with Hamilton-Brown.

But even if his whistle-stop trip has paid off and Hamilton-Brown agrees to go to Surrey the matter might not end there.

Hamilton-Brown still has a year left on his contract and Sussex offered him a new three-year deal which he was on the verge of signing before Surrey made their move.

The two counties will have to agree a compensation package and Sussex chairman Jim May is prepared to play hardball.

They would rather keep their player and if he does move it will be on their terms.