Flournoy to play through pain

Fab Flournoy has become the latest victim of Newcastle Eagles’ early season injury curse but he has vowed to play through the pain in Chester on Sunday. Already missing Paul Gause through a calf problem and Joel Madourie with a shoulder injury, the Eagles’ chief is well aware that his team’s resources are being stretched to the limit.

In fact, Flournoy has revealed that he twisted his ankle in training prior to Friday’s narrow BBL Cup victory over Glasgow Rocks. His condition is improving and barring any further problems he will take to the court against Cheshire Jets in a game that could see the Newcastle Eagles achieve a franchise record of five straight wins at the start of a BBL championship campaign.

The blow-out wins early on in the campaign are a distant memory now, with Flournoy having to carefully balance practice and playing time for his depleted ranks. That the Eagles still find themselves capable of manufacturing wins against the odds speaks volumes for the tactical nous of the coaching staff and the resilience of his limited roster.

The good news for Eagles fans is that Paul Gause is now back in light training a week ahead of schedule but with three massive games looming, against Plymouth in the League and Leicester in a two-legged BBL Cup semi-final, he is unlikely to be risked against Cheshire.

Any lingering hopes Eagles fans may have had of Drew Lasker returning to Newcastle appear to have ended today with news today suggesting the popular guard has signed for BBL rivals Guildford Heat.