HEAD coach Paul James says making the BBL Trophy final would be the “icing on the cake” for Worcester Wolves as they gear up for their last-four showdown with Newcastle Eagles tonight (7.30pm).

Wolves make the long journey north to face the British Basketball League leaders before going head-to-head in the return leg at the University of Worcester Arena a week on Sunday.

Two weeks ago, Wolves ended Newcastle’s 28-game winning run but, having lost at Sport Central earlier this season, James says he expects it to be a titanic tussle as they bid to face either Sheffield Sharks or Leicester Riders in the final.

“We are confident but not overconfident,” James said.

“We lost away from home to them and we have beaten them here, so both teams know they can beat each other.

“But this is a matter of how both sides play over these two legs and that’s our mindset.

“First and foremost, we need to try to get the win and then if there is an opportunity to get a big victory, then great.

“If it is looking like a loss, then we have got to make sure it is not too big.

“So there are all sorts of permutations that can happen. We have got to be ready for everything but the main thing is to go out there and try to win the game.”

Jay Couisnard suffered an ankle injury during Wolves’ 85-66 quarter-final triumph over Glasgow Rocks but James is confident the guard will be fit to face Newcastle.

James said it was a “great feeling” to make the last four and insisted his players were determined to get through to their first final since 2014.

“With the group of guys we started the season with, you would not have thought we could have made a semi-final as we were all over the place,” he said.

“But I think over the last six weeks or so people have seen how the team have gradually come together.

“We are gelling now and playing some great basketball.

“Everyone is starting to understand what they have to do and why they are here, so I think we are vindicating why we changed the whole team and the icing on the cake would be getting to a final.”

Wolves then travel to Manchester Giants in the BBL on Sunday (6pm).