READING Rockets (1-1) will return to NBL Division One action this weekend when they travel to Team Northumbria (5-1) tonight (6.30pm) and Bradford Dragons (3-1) on Sunday (4.15pm).

Manuel Pena Garces’ men made it through to the National Cup quarter-final stage last Sunday after beating Hemel Storm 84-67 to set up a last-eight clash with Kent Crusaders, who provided a cup upset of their own, knocking out Essex Leopards with a 94-67 victory.

Both Northumbria and Bradford have made impressive starts to the season and Spanish head coach Pena Garces admitted: “It has been a difficult two weeks for us having not played any competitive games after our loss to Derby and not being able to have a full practice with some players on the Erasmus trip to Spain, however I felt our response on Sunday was excellent and we really worked hard to grind out an important win that keeps us in contention in the National Cup.

“We will need to carry this momentum forward into this coming weekend as the teams we play are doing really well right now and playing back-to-back games is always a challenge for any organisation.”

He continued: “We defended a lot better against Hemel and limited their opportunities for easy baskets and that is something that is going to be key this season if we are to have the success we want to achieve.

“Both opponents have been well-established teams in the division over the last five or so years and are both really well coached.

“I have a lot of respect for both Marc (Steutel) and Chris (Mellor) and I am sure they will both be really looking forward to our respective games and preparing thoroughly.

“But this is of course the same for us and these two games are a tough proposition but one myself, Alan (Keane, assistant coach) and the players will be relishing.”

Rockets go into their northern double-header weekend with slight doubts about captain Danny Carter and point guard Juan Valerio. They have had one or two niggles between them but look set to recover.

Under 19s Ali Sbai and Ibu Jassey Demba have returned from two weeks in Spain and will once again be available for selection with U18 forward Fidel Gomez de Enterria Lopez the only selection dilemma with his age-group team having a cup game of their own on Sunday afternoon in Plymouth.