DEPLETED Worcester Wolves are set to call on three university students for this weekend’s British Basketball League double-header.

With guard Elvisi Dusha still struggling with a hand injury and Wolves yet to fill the shoes of departed forward Jermel Kennedy, head coach Paul James has been left shorthanded.

Only six senior players are set to be available for Friday’s clash with high-flying Leicester Riders at the University of Worcester Arena (7.30pm) and Sunday’s trip to Manchester Giants (5pm).

But James has backed Zach Noble, Dominic Ives and George Emms to step up to the plate.

The trio combine playing basketball with studying at the University of Worcester.

There were hopes Dusha, who suffered his injury following a “freak” kitchen incident, would be back in time for the Leicester game.

But James admitted it was taking longer for him to be ready to return to action.

“Elvisi can do some light training,” James said.

“But he is not in a position where he can participate in a game just yet.

“It is going to be another week or two.

“We don’t want to risk any infection to his hand, so we have still only got the six players and we are going to have to look at bringing in some students as well.

“Zach, Dominic and George have been training with us and will probably get an opportunity to show what they can do at this level.

“Hopefully they handle the occasion and do well.

“It is a chance for them to say ‘Coach you can play me for a few minutes and you can rely on me with the ball’.

“It is going to be a great opportunity for them, so hopefully they will grab it with both hands.”

Wolves are looking to replace Kennedy who left the club two weeks ago.

The Canadian has recently joined Ovarense in Portugal but James admits he is finding it “very difficult” to fill the void.

“We have not (made any movement with that),” James said.

“We have approached three or four players that we know are available and they are considering positions in Europe.

“We are still looking very hard and as I have said before it is very difficult to find that person with a British passport to come in at this stage.

“But we are still hopeful something will materialise and we can bring somebody in to help with the numbers on the team.”