ROBERT Thurman is set to give Worcester Wolves a new year boost by returning for Sunday’s match at Plymouth Raiders.

The 6ft 10ins American, the club’s only centre, has been on the sidelines for his team’s last three British Basketball League games with an ankle injury.

Although Wolves won two of those fixtures, against Leicester Riders and Leeds Force, they have missed Thurman’s towering presence.

But the 25-year-old is back in training and is ready to play some part in the Devon contest.

Worcester head coach Paul James said: “Robert will be back.

“He won’t be 100 per cent fit for the game, but he will be 85 per cent and we need him back desperately just to be that force in the middle of the paint and underneath the basket.

“How much he’ll play, we’ll see, but we’ll be a lot stronger than we have been in the last couple of games.”

Wolves are continuing their search for a new centre, following the November departure of Donatas Visockis, to provide competition for Thurman.

James said: “We’ve got a couple of leads that we’re chasing up, it’s just proven more difficult than we thought it would to bring in a replacement.

“But we’re still looking at the options and once we find that right person I think we’ll have all the pieces to move forward.

“Right now, we’ve got a great bunch of guys and everybody here can contribute and with everyone fit and healthy I think we’ll push on again.”

However, guard Sean Park has left the club by mutual consent following the arrival of Paul Guede.

Meanwhile, Alex Owumi has been named in the latest British League team of the week for his performance in the 86-82 victory over Leicester Riders.

The Wolves captain registered 17 points, including three triples, as well as eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.