WORCESTER Wolves are confident they can rise to the challenge when they visit Oxford Devils in the National Basketball League Division One tonight (7pm).

Oxford are joint top of the table with Ware, who beat the Wolves 90-82 in their previous game.

But Wolves head coach Rick Solvason was pleased with the way his mid-table team performed against Ware and wants a similar performance against Oxford, who are the reigning Division One champions.

Solvason said: "Oxford have virtually the same team as last year so they are going to be fairly strong. There are a few players I remember from a couple of years ago but their regular starting five has changed.

"But like us they have been on their Christmas break, and if some of their guys are perhaps a bit out of shape and we play to our potential, there is always a chance.

"Leading up to the Ware game we had two good wins, and I thought we played very well against them all the way through the game even though we lost. Ware had to shoot extremely well to win the game.

"We have had two wins and a really good game leading up to this one, and the guys are very positive and looking forward to the game."

Oxford have won six out of their seven league games, while Wolves, who are in equal sixth place, have won three and lost four to date.

A good training session this week should have shaken off any rustiness caused by the two-week Christmas break, according to Solvason. "We had a good turn-out and a very positive session, and we can't wait to get back into it."

Greek star Fotos Mavraganis is still away in his homeland, but Wolves will otherwise have a full squad to choose from.

Wolves are back at home next Saturday when they take on lowly North London Lords at University College Worcester (7pm).