BOSS Paul James believes second-placed Newcastle Eagles are “there for the taking” as Worcester Wolves aim to secure back-to-back away wins tonight (7.30pm).

Newcastle’s hopes of challenging Leicester Riders for the British Basketball League title have suffered a huge setback in recent weeks following three successive defeats.

James felt Eagles had become “vulnerable” without 6ft 9in talisman Darius Defoe who has been struggling with injury.

And Wolves’ head coach has challenged 7ft centre Dallin Bachynski and 6ft 8in power forward Alex Navajas to “go after” the hosts.

“Newcastle have been up and down but they are still a very dangerous team,” James said.

“They have had some losses recently that you would not expect so right now they are a little bit vulnerable and they are there for the taking.

“We have got to go up there, stick to our game plan and hopefully everybody plays to the best of their ability.

“Darius Defoe is their big man. Without him they have become a smaller team and don’t have that same inside presence which makes them a little bit more vulnerable. We have got to take advantage of that.

“The teams they have lost to recently have gone inside and they have had no answer to that, so that’s something we have got to try to do.

“Dallin and Alex are going to have to go after Newcastle and get close to the basket where I don’t think they will have anyone who can match up to our guys.”

Bachynski has recently recovered from an Achilles tendon problem which ruled him out for all of Wolves’ fixtures in February.

“Dallin is certainly getting back to his best,” James continued.

“We are still looking for him to finish a little bit better around the basket and he knows that as well.

“Hopefully we can get him into the right positions where he can get some easy scores and really make a difference for us.”

James will also be looking to build on Wolves’ 91-80 win at Sheffield Sharks last week which boosted their play-off ambitions.

Recent recruit George Marshall marked his debut with a 16-point haul and James expects the point guard to get better.

“I was really pleased with George,” said James whose team sit in seventh position.

“I thought he showed his quality and skills in what was a very good team performance.

“Point guard is the toughest position to learn when you come into a team late.

“But I thought the more the game went on the better he became so I am sure there is more to come from him.”