WORCESTER Wolves are facing a race against time to strengthen their roster ahead of Friday’s clash with Sheffield Sharks at the University of Worcester Arena (7.30pm).

Managing director Mick Donovan said there was a possibility Wolves could land two “really exciting” players, including one from America, in time for the British Basketball League meeting.

The need for reinforcements comes after Elvisi Dusha and Brandon Parrish resigned following a “breach of player rules” yesterday.

“We are looking at some really exciting options and hope to be making an announcement very soon,” Donovan said.

“We really believe the season is still very much alive and we have got to make sure we keep the momentum going.

“The problem we have got is we have used up almost all of our import slots. We can bring an American in but the other player has got to be British.

“We have got two Europeans in Alex (Navajas) and Dallin (Bachynski) and two Americans (in George Beamon and Trayvon Palmer) so if we brought in another American that would fill our five-import quota.

“The dream scenario is we bring (the American player) in on Friday morning. It’s not impossible.”

Wolves will also be without Robert Gilchrist for the next five matches as he looks to guide England to Commonwealth Games glory next month.

The 27-year-old forward will fly out to Australia tomorrow for a training camp ahead of the major championships on the Gold Coast.

Gilchrist will miss Worcester’s back-to-back games against Sheffield followed by their two clashes against high-flying Newcastle Eagles and their trip to London Lions.

Head coach Paul James said he was delighted for Gilchrist and hoped he would “spur” Wolves on when he returns to the club on April 18.

But he admitted his absence was a “big loss” to his team as the Great Britain ace top scored with 20 points in a 97-68 win at Manchester Giants last Sunday.

“We are sad to be losing him at a time like this but we are also very pleased for him,” James said.

“It’s a great opportunity for him to play in the Commonwealth Games so hopefully he will enjoy the experience and get England through to a medal match.

“He will miss five games in total and is going to be a big loss to us.

“We will have four games left before the end of the season when he comes back so hopefully he will be fit, healthy and ready to spur us on.

“He is going to be a body that we will be missing but we have got to find a way of trying to get the job done without him.”