Head coach Paul Farbrace told club members following this week’s AGM that he expects some of his players to be targeted by other counties later in the season given the club’s vulnerable position.

The 58-year-old dismissed reports all-rounder James Coles had already been approached by Hampshire, and Coles himself seems very keen to stay and give his best for the team.

“I love this place, this is home for me,” said Coles. “I love coming in every day. There’s good banter flying around so it’s always fun.

“Everyone on the gates, everything about this place is really lovely. My parents love coming down and I do love being by the beach.”

Coles, 21, joined the Sussex academy aged 12, and made his senior debut on 6 September 6, 2020, at the age of 16, becoming the youngest player to represent the county in first-class cricket.

“They gave me my debut at 16 when I hadn’t maybe justified it, but got it and it’s just been upwards from there, so I’m ever so grateful to this place,” he added.

The England Lions all-rounder said the events off the field during the winter had brought everyone together.

“The dressing room is in a really good place, not too many injuries, and I think we’ve got a good chance of doing well,” said Coles, who was bought by London Spirit for £390,000 at the Hundred auction earlier this month following his performances over the winter for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s T20 competition.

“The boys have got a really good hunger for this year because we know the future is not as certain as it once was, and that’s the cards we’ve been dealt.

“But for this year, we know what’s laid out ahead of us, and so that’s all we can deal with, and the boys are pretty determined to have a good year.”

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