WORCESTER Wolves go in search of a much-needed win tonight when they travel to English Basketball League Division One basement boys Essex and Herts Leopards (7.30pm).

Wolves have lost three of their last four league games, all against teams in the top five, including the last two away at leaders City of Sheffield Arrows and Worthing Thunder.

Their one victory was a 79-62 success against Coventry Crusaders at the end of last month.

So it makes a change for them to be facing a side below them, the Leopards being equal with Solent Stars and Kingston Wildcats on two points, having played a game less than Worcester.

But it does not mean the UCW-based side will be complacent.

"We are desperate to win," director of basketball Mick Donovan said. "It's important we win to try to get our league form back on track."

Player-coach Rick Solvason is unavailable for the game due to work commitments.

But Wolves will include youngsters Ben Potts and Mike Peake in their squad, both of whom have come through the youth set-up.

Wolves are also hoping the match can be the first step in propelling them back up the table with a series of victories.

They follow this fixture up with two consecutive home games against Teeside Mohawks and Coventry Crusaders -- and are aiming to take maximum points from both.

Donovan said: "We can certainly get ourselves back in the top three or four if we can win these games. I know coaches say take one game at a time but we are looking at a series of games."

First, though, they need to see off the Leopards. Although bottom, the team, formerly known as the London Leopards in the British Basketball League before amalgamating with Ware, beat fellow strugglers Solent Stars by 23 points in their last match.

They are in the process of bolstering their squad and hope to sign a former BBL player in time for tonight's clash.

"I think they see our game as the start of the season with their new-look team," Donovan added.

Wolves are also likely to have one eye on next weekend's double header, featuring the crucial National Cup semi-final at Reading Rockets on the Sunday.

However, the rule which forced the coaching staff to pick between captain Josh Cooprider and Ty Shaw for the quarter-final against Nottingham Knights does not count as Rockets are in the same league.