Ankle injury woe hampers play-off quest (From Worcester News)

Ankle injury woe hampers play-off quest

8:30am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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WORCESTER Wolves’ play-off hopes have been dealt a triple blow ahead of their clash with Sheffield Sharks tomorrow night (7.30pm).

Forward Harry Disy and guard Modestas Sidlauskas both twisted their ankles playing for the University of Worcester at the British Universities Championships in Sheffield last weekend.

Now star point guard Rod Middleton has also been struck down with an ankle problem and they have all been ruled out of the South Yorkshire trip.

Wolves, who lie 10th in the British Basketball League eight points away from the play-off places, had a week off last week but head coach Paul James is now counting the cost.

“It has been a disastrous week off for us.”

Paul James

“It has been a disastrous week off for us,” he said.

“First, we lost Harry and Modestas and then, in our first training session back, Rod went down injured as well.

“Harry turned his ankle in the first minute of the first game for the university and he won’t play any part tomorrow and neither will Modestas or Rod.

“It’s very disappointing, especially at this stage of the season when we still have an outside chance of the play-offs.”

The severity of the trio’s injuries is not yet known and James says they are all having extensive treatment.

Middleton has been in fine form since joining the University of Worcester-based side, forming a formidable partnership with Danny Gilbert.

Disy, one of the few remaining members of the squad that was torn apart following an alleged race row in November, has also impressed James, while Sidlauskas has settled in well since arriving from Lithuania in December.

It is thought Sidlauskas’ injury is the biggest concern for James and the Wolves chief knows it will be tough to replace them at the English Institute of Sport tomorrow night.

“Take any three of your starting five out of the team and you know it is going to be a struggle,” he said.

“What we have to do now is alter our game plan and try and get all of them back on the court as soon as possible.”

Wolves are looking to build on their impressive 107-94 victory over Everton Tigers earlier this month.

The win still left James’ side eight points off eighth-placed Worthing Thunder, but Wolves can point to three games in hand on the team occupying the final play-off spot.

The clash with Sharks will give Worcester the opportunity to try and gain revenge for a 90-88 over-time defeat in January.

That was only James’ second game at the helm and the Wolves had a three-point lead going into the final seconds of the encounter.