SHOOTING guard Andrew Harper will get his first taste of a Worcester Wolves basketball match from the sidelines tomorrow.

Wolves' new American signing arrived in the Faithful City earlier this week but was told in advance by head coach Josh Cooprider he would not feature in the National Cup second round tie at home to Filton Flyers (4pm).

Under competition rules, Wolves can only include one American player for the clash because that is all the Bristol-based side can use in England League Division Three.

That means Harper misses out and Ty Shaw plays as Wolves aim to set up a third round match with either Gloucester or Tamar in basketball's equivalent of the FA Cup.

Director of basketball Mick Donovan said: "He's desperate to play and he looked fantastic in training. He's only been in the country a couple of days so Josh Cooprider is going with Ty Shaw. It will be the only game he misses all season."

Donovan is confident of another Worcester victory, to go with the 72-45 National Trophy success against Solent Stars last weekend, but insists the new-look side is far from the finished article.

"Last week we were like strangers on court," he said. "We are looking for an improvement."

Wolves face the potential third round encounter and three more National Trophy games, exclusive to Division One teams, before the league starts on October 22.

In that time, coaches and players are working with Lithuanian's Valdas Urbonavicius and Paulius Augulius to bring them up to speed with the English game, which is less tolerant of physical contact and confronting referees.

"The Lithuanians are very expressive when they talk to the referees," Donovan said. "It's a different culture. They have to adapt and they have to learn quickly because we have some important league games coming up."