PAUL James is preparing himself for a “surreal” return to the University of Worcester Arena when his Plymouth Raiders side face Worcester Wolves tonight (7.30pm).

The vastly-experienced coach spent eight-and-a-half years in charge of Worcester before leaving in late June to become Raiders’ head coach and director of basketball.

But three month after his departure the 54-year-old will now go up against his former club on the opening day of the 2018-19 British Basketball season.

“I think somebody at the BBL has got a good sense of humour but you have got to start somewhere,” James said.

“I think it will be a chance for me to say goodbye properly as I didn’t have an opportunity to do so because (my exit) happened during the summer.

“The fans were fantastic to me while I was at the club so I would like to say thank you to them.

“It will be a little bit surreal to be on the opposite side of the scorer’s table but it is something that I am very much looking forward to.

“Hopefully there will be a good crowd and it will be an exciting game to watch.”

While James has been settling in at Raiders Wolves have appointed ex-player Ty Shaw as boss.

But Raiders’ chief insisted his only focus had been on Plymouth having just returned from a pre-season trip to France.

“Ty is a player from Worcester’s past so they have not gone too far afield,” James said.

“They know Ty well and he knows the club but apart from that I have not really followed things too much.

“I have just been looking at what we need to do at Plymouth.

“We have got quite a young team this year with guys who are looking to develop over the next two to three seasons.

“The team spirit has been fantastic and everyone is working extremely hard for each other.”

James described his move to Raiders as a “breath of fresh air” and was also delighted to have ex-Wolves coach Danny Magee as his assistant.

“The owners here are very realistic on what they want to do both on and off the floor,” James said.

“It is going to take time to get to where they want to get to but they are allowing everyone who they have employed to get on and do their job and trust people to do their job properly.

“It has been a very good working environment.”

On the appointment of Magee, James added: “It has been great having Danny here. He has blossomed a lot since he arrived.

“He has been very engaging with the players and they are getting on well with him."