WORCESTER Wolves are targeting a clean sweep of British Basketball League victories over champions-elect Newcastle Eagles when the sides lock horns at the University Arena tomorrow night (7.30pm).

Wolves, who toppled the leaders and reigning champions in last season’s play-off final at Wembley, have already beaten Newcastle twice this season, 86-81 in the north-east in September and 99-91 at home in January.

Those two matches are the only defeats quadruple-chasing Newcastle have suffered this season and they have not lost three times to the same opponents since Leicester Riders got the better of them in the 2012-13 campaign.

But on that occasion the Riders triumphed in the BBL Cup and play-off finals rather than completing the hat-trick in the league.

Wolves’ head coach Paul James said: “We’ve won the head-to-head but it would be great if we could actually go one better and beat them for a third time in the league which is something they haven’t experienced in many years.

“There’s plenty of positives and motivation to be had there. We’re also playing at home and it’s likely to be a very good crowd and we want to deliver in front of them.

“I think it’s going to be one where we’ll do whatever it takes to try to get the win.

“This is the business end of the season moving into the play-offs, there aren’t many games left so it’s a matter of keep on working hard and finishing strongly.”

Wolves, however, look set to line-up without Robert Thurman as the American centre is still struggling with the ankle injury that kept him out of the defeat at London Lions and victory at Leeds Force last Sunday and Friday respectively.

Lithuanian shooting-guard Robertas Bitinas has been playing through the pain-barrier with a shoulder problem but is expected to feature.

But Newcastle are missing player-coach Fab Flournoy after he tore his Achilles in the BBL Cup final victory against Leicester last month.

James said: “We have a game-plan that has worked well the last few times we’ve played them, although we have been fully fit at the time.

“It’s highly unlikely that Robert will play, he’s getting an MRI scan and we’ll see where we go from there.

“It makes life a little bit more difficult for us but I am really looking forward to the game.

“It’s going to be even tougher if Robert isn’t able to play but we’ll have to try to find a way to get it done.”

He added: “Robertas will be ready. He won’t have any contact in training just to make sure he is ready to go and he could be a major factor in the game.

“Hopefully, he will be much better than he was against Leeds and London.”