WORCESTER Wolves have set their sights on finishing as high as possible as they attempt to secure a play-off place in their first season in top-flight basketball.

A top eight place in England Basketball League Division One is required by the University College Worcester side in order to qualify for the end-of-season play-offs, a place in the top four will ensure home advantage in the competition.

Wolves are sixth, six points within the qualification zone, and victory tonight at London Capitals, currently occupying eighth spot, will further enhance their position.

"It would be a disaster to finish outside the top eight," said director of basketball Mick Donovan. "Many people said we would do well to stay up but we think we will do better than that.

"Aim one is to finish in the top eight. Aim two is to finish as high as possible."

Success against London Capitals would be Wolves' third win in a row, following wins against London United and Kingston Wildcats, and could lift them into fifth spot depending on how Reading Rockets fare at Solent Stars.

Matt Collins will once again feature in the nine-man squad making the journey south, while Ty Shaw will be among their leading hopes for points. However, Mike Peake and Ben Potts don't travel - they are joining up with the second team who have a vital Division Three (West) match at University of Birmingham.

Confidence is high after the defeat of the previously unbeaten London United but Wolves and Capitals had a series of close games when together in Division Two last season, a pattern not broken until Wolves saw them off 91-68 in October.

"We are looking for a big win down in London," Donovan added. "They are always one or two point games. They have got to win to keep in the frame. It's a big game because it's all building up to the play-offs."

Point guard Collins, who joined from Coventry Crusaders earlier this month, prompting Renaldo Edmondson to up sticks, has added a welcome boost to the side and he came in for praise following his performance against London United.

"Matt Collins is a potential match-winner," Donovan said. "Last week he showed defensively he's brilliant because he closes down the other point guard. He controls the ball and sets other players up and he shoots as well.

"Matt Collins didn't arrive to sit on the bench, he wants to take the lion's share of the minutes."