WORCESTER Wolves Basketball Club have been handed an unexpected promotion - less than a week into the new season.

They have accepted a late invitation from the English Basketball Association to go up to Division One of the National League, replacing Doncaster Panthers who have withdrawn from the league.

The Wolves, who only formed last year, will now effectively be in the third division of English basketball.

They had already played one game in Division Two North, winning 74-71 at Dudley last weekend. This will now be null and void and they will take over Doncaster's scheduled fixtures.

Wolves were selected due to their administration and the impressive crowds they have attracted to home games at University College Worcester.

The club's director of operations Mick Donovan said: "It is pretty unprecedented for this to happen one game into the new season, but it's a great honour.

"The standard will be much higher and we might get crushed at first, but our aim is to stay in this division and then build for next season. We are confident we can win a few games.

"Hopefully we will be able to attract more sponsorship and better players."

League games start in November but before then Wolves will take part in the National Trophy, featuring teams from the higher-graded Conference. Their first game is at Hull on September 30.

Wolves also plan to announce a new game coach to work with player-coach Rick Solvason.