ESSEX Pirates’ head coach Tim Lewis is confident of starting a hectic week for his side with a win at MK Lions tonight.
Pirates face three matches in the space of six days.

But, after beating Plymouth Raiders in their last game, the Southend based side are hopeful of heaping further misery on a Lions team who have lost their last seven matches.

“Lions are going through a bit of a low patch at the moment and have had a few injuries so we think we have a chance of winning this evening,” said Lewis.

“We’re also getting better and better all the time and that showed in our last game with Plymouth.
“It was probably a lot closer than it should have been and we should have put them away sooner but we came out on top in the end and that has given everyone a real boost.”

The dramatic last gasp triumph over Raiders, which came courtesy of late three pointer from Taner Adu, did come at a cost though as point guard Haggai Hundert suffered a broken nose against his former side.
And he could now miss out this evening.

“We are trying to get a protective mask sorted out for H but at the moment it seems likely he will miss out,” confirmed Lewis.
“It would be a shame if that happened because he gave us a lift when he came on against Plymouth.

“It does give others a chance though and we really need the likes of Marcus Knight, Dean Williams and Zach Gachette to step up.”
Powerful forward Alan Metcalfe is also likely to play a key part after he bagged 21 points against Plymouth.
His season has been dogged by a niggling ankle injury but he is now getting back to his impressive best.

“Alan played well against Plymouth but we still have to be wary of his ankle,” said Lewis.
“It’s a case of damage limatation with him between now and the end of the season and then we will have to try and look at sorting it out completely in the summer.”