WORCESTER Wolves take on England Basketball League Division One leaders City of Sheffield Arrows tonight (7pm) with both pride and points on the line.

And although Wolves director of basketball Mick Donovan knows the Yorkshire side will be tough to beat, he believes his players will be up for the contest at University College Worcester.

Relations between the clubs hit rock bottom when Wolves were forced to forfeit their National Trophy semi-final clash in South Yorkshire, leaving them with a hefty £500 fine.

Sheffield were unable to play on the planned date so the cup clash was re-arranged. But the new date meant the Wolves were unable to field a full-strength side due to other commitments, leaving Donovan's side with little option but to concede the game.

"There is bound to be a bit of needle between the sides because of what went on in the cup," Donovan explained.

And he added the players were also keen to extend their impressive run of form.

"Our win at Manchester two weeks ago was our fifth straight victory in the league and we cannot afford to drop any points at the moment. We are desperate to finish in the top four so we get a home tie in the play-offs."

Australia-bound Ty Shaw is set to play tonight. Shaw signed for Perth-based Cockburn Cougars this week but is not joining them until Wolves' season is finished.

And they are also able to include forwards Rob Clarke and Colin Chiverton in their plans after the pair recovered from injury.

Clarke sat on the bench for most of the Manchester game with a sore knee, while the influential Chiverton had broken his finger.

Sheffield boast the league's leading scorer Ryan Tatton in their line-up and the Wolves director of basketball is hoping his defence can keep the prolific points scorer at bay.

He said: "The big thing is to stop him playing but no-one has managed to do that this season."

Wolves have five league games remaining and Donovan knows the battle for places will go right to the line.

"It is all about whichever team holds their nerve," he added.