Sussex must be prepared to 'nurture' fast bowling prospect Tymal Mills if they are to get the best out of him, the club's cricket manager Andy Robinson has said.

The 22-year-old Brandon cricketer is embarking on a new challenge next year, after leaving Essex to join the south coast club at the end of last season.

Mills was a member of the England Lions squad which toured Sri Lanka early this year but minor injuries prevented him from seeing consistent action with Essex in the County Championship.

The former Mildenhall College pupil was signed alongside Ajmal Shahzad, who has been through a similarly disappointing time at Nottinghamshire.

But Sussex cricket manager Robinson, who coached Mills with the Lions, is hoping to get the best out of the duo now they are at Hove.

'They have come to Sussex not perfect, as many players who join us do,' Robinson said.

'Shahzad wouldn't have been allowed to leave Notts if things were going swimmingly and Millsy, as yet, hasn't quite fulfilled that enormous talent.'

He added: 'With Millsy we have got to nurture, watch, encourage him to bowl fast and win us some games. If he goes for a few runs, so be it.'

Mills took 13 wickets for an average of 34.00 runs conceded in his six County Championship games for Essex last season, but Robinson is sure Mills is capable of much more.

'Millsy is as quick as anybody and we are really pleased he chose us as he had bigger and better offers elsewhere. I managed to strike a good relationship with him on the Lions tour,' Robinson continued, speaking to BBC Sport.

'What we hope is the reputation of the club – the ability to enhance and turn people's careers in the right direction – will have an impact.'