WORCESTER Wolves are aiming to continue their fine start to the season when they take on Sheffield Sharks tonight.

Paul James' side, who are second in the British Basketball League, head to the English Institute of Sport (7.30pm) aiming for an eighth win in nine matches this term to keep the pressure on leaders Newcastle Eagles.

Worcester lost all three league meetings against the Sharks last season, including twice in South Yorkshire, but, crucially, beat them in the semi-finals of both the play-offs and BBL Trophy, competitions Wolves went on to win.

Sheffield have also endured a mixed start to the current campaign, sitting 10th in the standings with just three wins from seven matches.

Nevertheless, James is wary of their threat and knows his players will have to maintain the form that saw them beat both Manchester Giants and Surrey United last weekend.

The Wolves director of basketball said: "They're a Jekyll and Hyde team and we've got to focus on what we've been doing.

"I have been really happy with the last two or three weeks and we have got to go there with a lot of confidence and hopefully bring back two points.

"They have got a good core of their players back from last year so they know each other well.

"We have got a new bunch who don't know Sheffield or their arena so it's going to be a test of character for the team. We've got to go up there and concentrate on what we've been doing well."

James, who will again be without Lithuanian centre Donatas Visockis due to an ankle sprain, added: "It will be the first time we play Sheffield and we haven't played Plymouth or Leicester yet either.

"But the fact is we are there or thereabouts. I feel like we've got the squad to challenge everybody.

"We beat Newcastle in the first game of the season so we're in a good place right now but we've got to keep picking up the wins we are supposed to."