FILIP Krämer could be back to face Sheffield Sharks tonight in a match Worcester Wolves boss Ty Shaw has dubbed as “the battle of the two hospital teams” (7.30pm).

Both British Basketball League clubs have been hit by injuries in recent weeks with Worcester facing the prospect of travelling to the English Institute of Sport with just six fit senior players.

But while Deshawn Freeman (ankle) remains sidelined there is a possibility that Krämer could line up for bottom club Wolves.

The Austria international broke his nose in training ahead of Worcester’s match against Leicester Riders last week.

“Filip could play this weekend,” Shaw said.

“He will have a check-up and we will figure out what he can do and what he is allowed to do.

“We are not going to put someone on the floor who shouldn’t be there.

“He has been doing five-on-zero stuff where there is no contact so we are just waiting to find out whether he can play on Saturday.”

Despite being without Freeman and Krämer, Wolves ran Leicester close and led 78-74 going into the final quarter.

But Riders came storming back to win 94-86 and consign Worcester to a 13th straight league defeat.

Shaw said his players had gained confidence from the performance but felt they needed to change their mentality in the closing stages.

“We need to convert the energy and effort into winning plays,” Shaw said.

“We need to play to win and not play to try not to lose.

“I applaud the players' effort and intensity.

“I think they go out there with every intention of winning games.

“But in sport when you are used to winning games sometimes you find ways to win.

“When you have had a tough streak sometimes you find reasons to lose.

“I think it’s just about changing that mentality and finding ways to win a game instead of being afraid to win.”

An impressive start to the season has seen Sheffield, who thumped Wolves 89-67 at the University of Worcester Arena in November, challenge for top spot.

But second-placed Sharks have lost their past two home games, crashing to a 101-72 defeat to Manchester Giants and a 90-69 loss to Leicester.

“Sheffield have got a couple of guys hurt and we have too so it will be the battle of the two hospital teams this weekend,” Shaw said.

“We are on a tough streak as we played Leicester but now we’ve got Sheffield and then we have got the two London teams coming up.

“They are all tough teams so it is not going to get any easier in terms of an opponent.

“For us it is about rising to that challenge every week.”

Robert Crawford and Lester Prosper were named off the bench in this week’s BBL All-Star Five after scoring 32 and 30 points respectively in the loss at Leicester.