WORCESTER Wolves are sweating on the fitness of Colin Chiverton as they go in search of their fifth straight victory tonight.

Wolves travel to Manchester Magic (7.30pm), the team they leap-frogged into fourth place in England Basketball Division One following last week's 114-77 crushing of Worthing Thunder.

But forward Chiverton is a doubt after dislocating the little finger on his left hand just four minutes into University College Worcester's 78-65 victory at Sunderland in the Premier League (North) in mid-week.

Chiverton spent the rest of the match in hospital but he still travels to the Amaechi Basketball Centre tonight as part of a nine-man squad. Rob Clarke (knee) is also a slight doubt, while Ben Potts, Mike Peake and Ross Cooney all play for the Seconds at Bristol.

Director of basketball Mick Donovan knows Chiverton, who has played 24 games so far this season, will be a huge loss to the team.

He said: "He's taped it and he's hoping to play some part and it's on his weak hand. The coaches will probably use him, particularly if it gets tight, it just depends how he is catching the ball."

Donovan is also convinced Wolves have established themselves as a top-flight team. Now the Worcester club have got themselves into one of the four play-off places that carry automatic home advantage, they don't want to give it up.

"I still think we play stronger at home but we have been picking up wins away, but if we ever needed an away win it's today," Donovan said.

"We have definitely consolidated our place in the division, which was the aim at the start of the season. Now we have got to prove how good we are. They (Manchester) are a good side."

But the pressure to consolidate a top-four place is great as Wolves follow tonight's trip with a home match against current league leaders City of Sheffield Arrows next Saturday.

That fixture carries extra needle given that Wolves were originally due to travel to Sheffield next Sunday for a National Trophy semi-final encounter.

Wolves have since been fined £500 by the league after forfeiting that match because they could not make the re-arranged date of last Sunday, despite being asked to play at a time seemingly in breach of England Basketball rules.

The UCW club is currently seeking advice on whether to challenge the decision.