WORCESTER Wolves coach Chuck Evans is hoping to have a fully-fit Randy George back tonight when they visit Essex Pirates in the British Basketball League Cup first round (7.30pm).

The British Virgin Islands forward played in last weekend’s 93-87 defeat to Glasgow Rocks despite only just recovering from a stomach virus.

The University of Worcester-based team are searching for their first victory of the campaign against a side that were crushed 99-65 at Leicester Riders.

Both teams will be low on confidence going into the competition and Evans is expecting a tough test at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre.

“Essex are a dangerous team for us because we have not learned how to win yet,” he said. “They have some good English players in Alan Metcalfe and Dean Williams. We must be prepared for the entire 40 minutes.

“My team are vastly improving from week-to-week, the players are working hard to get better, even though we have not won a game yet. I believe we are heading in the right direction and getting Randy back to 100 per cent is vital to our system.”

Despite a heavy defeat to the high-flying Riders last weekend, Pirates head coach Tim Lewis believes his side will be better for that loss.

“I thought we played well for the first quarter against Leicester and then we struggled to cope,” he said. “In three weeks, we have come a long way.

“We are better for that game and were much-improved in the first quarter from the game before.”