HEAD coach Paul James is confident Worcester Wolves have “enough depth and quality” to climb the British Basketball League ladder.

After thumping Sheffield Sharks 99-68 to progress to the BBL Trophy quarter-finals last Friday, Wolves’ attention has quickly turned to the league.

Seventh-placed Worcester travel to Bristol Flyers on Saturday (7.30pm) as they look to get their campaign back on track after back-to-back defeats in the competition.

Since the season got under way in September, James has expressed his desire to recruit a player who can “protect the basket”.

However, Wolves’ boss insisted their lack of another “big man” did not excuse their poor league form as they have suffered 10 losses in 15 games.

“That extra quality player would make a difference without question,” James said.

“But even without them I feel we had the potential to win four or five games that we haven’t closed out.

“We have put ourselves in positions to win games and shown quality at times only to fall at the final hurdle.

“Anybody would love to have an extra player to help improve scoring and defence but we have not got that so we can’t really dwell on it too much.

“We have to deal with what we have got here at the moment and try to do as best we can.”

Giant forward Maurice Walker leads the averages in points (22.67) and rebounds (11.17) in the BBL, while captain Marek Klassen (6.87) tops the list in assists.

Swingman Danny Huffor has also been named in this week’s All Star Five after his 31-point haul in Worcester’s victory over Sharks and Andrew Bachman earned a spot on the bench “We are short of an import but as far as our British players I think we have got some of the best in the league,” he said.

“I do think we have enough depth and quality.

“Yes, that extra player would make a difference if we found him but I think we have enough now to make a difference.

“It is just a matter of everybody coming and doing their bit for the entirety of the game.”

Wolves have registered five league wins this season but have yet to string more than two victories together.

James described his side’s start to the campaign as “a bit bitty” but he is adamant they can turn things around in 2017.

“It has been a bit bitty as far as getting things going,” he added.

“One minute we feel like we are making progress but then we lose a silly game because we have not managed to close it out.

“It is by no means the season we wanted or expected and everybody is frustrated.

“But there is still plenty to play for in the second half of the season and we can turn ourselves around.

“I am sure we can get three or four wins down the stretch.”