HEAD coach Paul James has warned his Worcester Wolves players to expect another fight on their hands at fellow play-off chasers Sheffield Sharks tonight (7.30pm).

Sheffield trail third-placed Worcester by eight points in the BBL but, having played four games more, James said it was vital they extended their advantage.

After losing to Glasgow Rocks in November, Sheffield have racked up four successive wins, including a 107-55 hammering of Surrey Scorchers last month.

But Wolves beat Sharks earlier this season and, despite suffering a 94-85 defeat to Cheshire Phoenix last Sunday, James said his side have what it takes to secure the double over their opponents.

“Although I am disappointed with how we played against Cheshire, we are still in the hunt and fighting for a top-four place, which we think will be an amazing achievement,” he said.

“But this match is massive for both teams because if we win, we will have a better head-to-head record, so if we end the season tied on points with Sheffield, we will go above them in the table.

“It is just a case of leaving it all on the floor and executing the way we should do to give ourselves a chance of winning the game.”

Wolves are set to be boosted by the return of Perris Blackwell, who was rested for back-to-back trips to Bristol and Cheshire. After the bruising double-header, James feels his battle-hardened side will need to dig deep again to return victorious.

“Games are very physical these days, so the guys are going to be feeling pretty sore, but the schedule is what it is and it is always tough to play away from home,” he said.

“We have got a lot of away games coming up, so we have to recover as well as we can and try to grind out wins.

“Sheffield are one of the most physical teams in the league, so there is going to be no respite for our big men.

“The good news is Perris will definitely play some part in the game and we need him as we are now battling it out with Sheffield and potentially Glasgow for third place.

“He gives us added strength and bulk under the basket, which we have been lacking over the last few games.

“But let’s not take anything away from what we have done without Perris and Ben (Eaves) as we had won five games in a row, but maybe against Cheshire it caught up with us a bit.”