Oxfordshire are expected to announce shortly that two Sussex professionals will play for them in this season’s Unicorns County Championship.

Last summer Oxon fielded desperately weakened sides in three-day matches, suffering two defeats inside two days.

The county feel that bringing in players from Sussex, with whom they have a coaching arrangement, will improve the environment for young players who are brought into the team.

This arrangement will not apply to the Unicorns Trophy one-day competition, in which Oxfordshire were losing finalists.

Oxon skipper Luke Ryan said they had been in talks with Sussex about the unidentified players.

Ryan added that nothing had been confirmed at present, although he expected some news within the next two weeks.

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