WORCESTER Wolves are relishing taking on “traditional powerhouse” Newcastle Eagles in Friday night’s BBL Cup quarter-final (7.30pm).

Head coach Matt Newby’s side have home advantage at the University of Worcester Arena after finishing second in the South Group.

Eagles, now under Ian Macleod who stepped up from assistant coach in pre-season, are the most successful team in BBL history with a string of titles and trophies guided by Fab Flournoy.

But the last-eight showdown holds no fear for the experienced Raheem May-Thompson who was one of a series of close-season signings for Wolves.

The former Cheshire Phoenix and Leicester Riders forward said: “Newcastle are a traditional powerhouse in this league, one of the top teams historically.

“It’s always good to play these teams that have such a big reputation because it’s a chance to prove that we’re top dogs now.

“We’ve strung together a few good wins (in the group). We’ve definitely let up some games we could have won.

“We were aiming for that number one seed but second with that home advantage is something we also wanted going into the later rounds of this competition to put ourselves in the best possible seat to be in the final.”

Coach Newby is expecting the cup clash to be a "good one for the fans".

He continued: “Newcastle are a pedigree franchise, perennial contender and a team very much in flux after the departure of Fab.

“They’ve put up some really big performances this season. I’m super excited about the match-up.

“We’re happy to have the home draw. We saw them in pre-season and it was a good game.

“They’re fully loaded now and have just added CJ Gettys as well. It’s going to be interesting how we match up. What they have complemented their core with is very dangerous.

“We can’t make any assumptions, we have to prepare diligently and coach Macleod will be doing exactly the same thing.

“It will be a good one for the fans.

“If you are looking at total trophies over the last few decades there’s no one else who comes close (to Eagles).

“It’s exciting to match up with a perennial contender because they generally set the standards in the league.

“I think we match up well with them though.

“We have to understand their high-level assets like Rahmon Fletcher, Darius Defoe and Gettys.

“But if we do our homework we’ll be in good shape.

“Like we’re building in stature within the league, the crowd are too and they are beginning to relate to the new guys.

“It always takes time for them to get to know us. But they make the effort game in game out.

“We always have a large group at the close of game win or loss wanting to know a little more about the players and myself.

“It’s important we continue to relate to them.”

The other cup quarter-final on Friday night involves Riders and 2018-19 winners London Lions.

There are then two Sunday last-eight games with London City Royals tackling Phoenix and Sheffield Sharks meeting Bristol Flyers.

Worcester start the long-awaited BBL Championship campaign on Friday next week at home to Surrey Scorchers (7.30pm).