Basketball: Worcester Wolves v Bristol Flyers preview

Head coach Matt Newby's side won the reverse fixture 96-94 at Bristol in an overtime thriller in early October and they now prepare to tackle Flyers at the University of Worcester Arena.

But the visitors have been on a roll lately with a three-match winning streak while Wolves will be glad to be back home after losing 77-64 at leaders London City Royals last weekend.

Their previous game ended in a 83-53 beating at Plymouth Raiders.

Worcester are level with Flyers on eight points in the group having played a game more which places extra importance on Friday's encounter.

Wolves captain Maarten Bouwknecht said of their recent defeats: "We have been playing at the other team's pace and not ours.

"We've had good practice this week and I think we'll be ready for Flyers.

"I'm trying to be positive, be a leader and help the team to be better.

"It's very important (to get the win). We have already played a close game against Bristol and we are playing for second place.

"It's a statement too as they are coming to our arena."

Wolves are hosting a night of entertainment entitled Freaky Friday alongside the basketball action when Flyers visit.

Bristol's American forward Levi Bradley said: "We’re trying to have a big presence on the defensive end and want to make sure we’re attacking the glass every chance we get.

"We know it's going to be a dogfight (against Wolves). We can't give them second chances. We've got to play hard for 40 minutes."

Meanwhile, American Merrill Holden, 25, has left Worcester due to personal reasons.

The 6ft 8ins big man, who played in Mexico and Bahrain after graduating from Iowa State, had not been involved in the last few games.

Boss Newby, who was appointed in the summer, is actively working to strengthen the roster as a result.

Wolves ace Mark Hughes won the Benecos play of the week despite the team's defeat to Royals.

Worcester will now play at London Lions in the cup group the following Friday.