Second-bottom Yorkshire take on third-bottom Sussex at Hove tomorrow in a do or die clash with the winners definitely safe and the losers more than likely condemned to relegation.

A draw would complicate matters with Kent and to a lesser extent Hampshire also in the relegation mix though a handsome winning draw could be enough for Yorkshire.

The Tykes have experienced a promising one day campaign but defeat in Hove and the White Rose outfit will be spending 2009 in the LV County Championship Division Two.

Regan insists financially it makes little difference but admits the county's reputation is firmly at stake as the final-game drama approaches.

"It's more about pride and our status," said Regan.

"There's not a huge amount of financial difference between the first division and the second division but for our fans and for our pride we want to make sure we stay in the first division. That's where we feel we should be.

"It's difficult to say how confident you can be at a time like this but Martyn (Moxon) and Darren (Gough) will now be with the players before the game firing them up and trying to get them to really perform on the pitch. That's the challenge.

"There's nothing I can do now, there's nothing the board can do and now it's down to the coaching staff."

The Tykes have a host of injury worries with Rana Naved (knee) and Michael Vaughan (strained side muscle/sore knee) both out injured and skipper Anthony McGrath's inclusion pending a fitness test (hamstring).

A fatigued Darren Gough is set to miss out and included in Yorkshire's squad is 19-year-old Jonathan Bairstow who is in line for his first-class debut at the same age his father David was when he made his county bow in 1970.

Regan admits it is far from ideal having injury problems at such a crucial stage, but the chief executive is backing Yorkshire's novices to shine.

"It's a massive opportunity for these players and the good news is we've got a squad with a lot of talented players in it," he said.

"When players have not been able to play, these other players come in and rise to the challenge and people like Stephen Patterson have been exceptional in coming in.

"There are a lot of lads waiting in the wings to show what they can do, people like Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow and Oliver Hannon-Dalby.

"They are all waiting to show what they can do."

Defeat would spell a miserable end to Yorkshire's season and quite a remarkable conclusion to a campaign which once saw them sit on top of the LV County Championship.

Regan knows a lack of a second innings' cutting edge has been key but the chief executive is aware Yorkshire have every chance of sealing a satisfactory conclusion.

"Our one day form has been very, very encouraging.