“PIVOTAL” pair Alex Navajas and Dallin Bachynski are expected to play in Worcester Wolves’ British Basketball League play-off clash against London Lions despite carrying injuries.

Wolves take on Lions at the University of Worcester Arena tomorrow (7.30pm) before playing the second leg at The Copper Box on Sunday (4pm).

Captain Navajas and 7ft centre Bachnyski both suffered hand injuries in Worcester’s 90-75 defeat at Glasgow Rocks last Sunday.

But head coach Paul James insisted he needed all of his players available for the London tie as they bid to go on a run in the end-of-season competition.

“It is play-off time so nobody is going to be sat out,” James said.

“If we need to strap people up to get them out there then that’s what we will do.

“We either win this tie and go through or we lose and everybody goes home.

“There is no time to recover fully.

“Alex has an issue with his little finger and Dallin injured his thumb but we will get those guys strapped up and they will be good to go.

“There is no way they want to miss these games, especially given the importance of them.”

Navajas has played in all 41 games for Wolves this term and was appointed skipper following the departure of Ashton Khan in late December.

Baychski missed all of Worcester’s fixtures in February but since then the Canadian has helped to steer James’ side to the play-offs.

The 26-year-old was also named in this week’s BBL All Star Five after scoring 30 points and making 12 rebounds in Worcester’s 110-78 win over Cheshire Phoenix last Friday.

James continued: “For us to make a run in the play-offs a lot hangs on how Dallin, in particular, Alex and Rob Gilchrist play in and around the basket.

“If those guys can dominate it opens everything up for our very good shooters that we have.

“They will be pivotal to our success in these next two games.”

Wolves’ defeat at Glasgow saw them end the regular season in seventh position which is their lowest finish in the table since the 2010-11 season.

But James said his team remained in good spirits and were ready to tackle second-placed Lions.

“We have been playing very well over the last six weeks or so, especially defensively,” James said.

“It was always going to be tough to go to Glasgow and perform to the level we have been playing at.

“If we had won that game we would have finished fourth but we lost it and came seventh.

“I think we are in good form though. The guys are in good spirits and we are focused and ready to take on the challenge ahead of us.”