WORCESTER Wolves head coach Paul James insists he holds no grudges against Jordan Dawes after an outburst from the player on social media.

The “frustrated” guard took to Twitter after Wolves lost 75-72 to British Basketball League leaders Leicester Riders.

Worcester recovered from a 46-31 deficit at half-time to lead 72-71 with seconds remaining before Leicester clinched victory.

Dawes, an unused substitute, Tweeted: “That game was close because of the players and the fans who were brilliant.

“If we had won, the wrong people would have got the plaudits. Who was meant to take the last shot? Good question. We don’t know either.

“The players ran the plays and had the heart to bring us back. The coach gave up on us then tried to call the plays that lost the game. I am fed up of this.

“If I felt like we were all in it together I would say nothing, so that in itself says a lot.”

Although former Riders player Dawes quickly deleted the comments, James criticised the 23-year-old, who has made just 16 appearances this season, for the way he reacted.

“Those ill-advised comments don’t help him and they certainly don’t help the team,” James said.

“I have been around the game long enough to not take offence to what he said. My CV speaks for itself.

“He is a young kid who is frustrated and thought he should have been playing and chose to voice that in the media, which was not the right thing to do.”

However, James insisted Dawes would remain at the club and said they were keen to put the issue behind them.

“It was not an ideal thing to say and I think he is more embarrassed about it than anything,” James said.

“Those kinds of things can damage relationships between a coach and a player and even among the team.

“But luckily I have been around the game long enough, so I can see it for what it is, which is a young man who is passionate, wants to play and did not get to play in that situation.

“It has been a frustrating season for him and there are reasons why he is not playing. He needs to develop his game a bit more before he gets that opportunity."

Fourth-placed Wolves tackle London Lions at the Copper Box tomorrow night (7.30pm) before travelling to face Bristol Flyers on Saturday night (7.30pm).

James added: “I am not going to dwell on it or give it any more time than is necessary.

“There are more important things to be dealing with, so I am not going to let little things like that concern me.

“He is still here at the club training, so I am not going to let that stuff affect us.”

Mick Donovan, managing director of Wolves, added: "We are inviting Jordan to a meeting to discuss this issue."