HEAD coach Paul James insists depleted Worcester Wolves are trying “desper ately” to recruit two players “sooner rather than later”.

However, he admits it is still “a long shot” for Wolves to make those signings before they return to British Basketball League action at Glasgow Rocks on Sunday, November 13.

Since the season got under way, James expressed his desire to snap up a “big man” to help improve his side’s “presence” on the court.

But with 6ft 9in forward Deondre McWhorter leaving the club last week, Wolves have now got two spaces to fill.

“I am not going to lie, it’s been a difficult process,” said James, whose side host Surrey Scorchers in the quarter-finals of the BBL Cup on Sunday (4pm).

“We have got a lot of contacts and agents that we talk to, but, right now, there just doesn’t seem to be that player out there who is going to come in and make that difference.

“So who knows? It may take a week or it may take two weeks.

“But we are trying desperately to put this situation right.

“The search goes on for not one but two big guys and we have just got to keep picking up the phone, looking at video and make sure we can hopefully bring someone in sooner rather than later.”

Following McWhorter’s departure, Wolves were hit for their trip to Manchester Gi- ants last Sunday when Jermel Kennedy was struck down with illness.

Worcester only travelled with seven players, including University of Worcester student Mark Jacobs.

Although they won 91-84 against the league’s bottom side, James says it is important they get more players on board before they are left in a “disastrous” situation.

“The longer it goes on the more important it becomes as players are playing extended minutes and if that continues to happen they are more likely to pick up an injury,” he said.

“If that happens, then that could be disastrous for the team. Their nationality doesn’t really matter.

“We are looking everywhere to try to find the right player.”

“We play Sunday and then we don’t play again until the following Sunday, so it would be nice to have somebody in, if possible, for that Glasgow game. But it’s a long shot.”