READING Rockets (2-0) will face Worthing Thunder (1-1) in NBL Division One on Saturday before entertaining NBL Division Three outfit Cardiff City on Sunday in the fourth round of the National Cup (5pm), with both games being played at Bohunt School in Wokingham.

Rockets have already beaten Saturday’s opponents in the National Trophy, running out 80-61 winners few weeks ago.

Having had a weekend off from competitive action, Rockets head coach Manuel Peña Garcés was able to give his players some much needed rest and recovery.

He said: “It has been a really useful time during these two weeks because we have been able to rest some players as well as have good quality, competitive practices. The guys have been working hard during this period and we look fresher and ready for the challenges that await us.”

He continued: “After the game against Hemel the previous weekend, it was important for us to review and reflect on the performance to help us in our preparations for the two upcoming games.

“We will need this experience to help us overcome what could be a potentially really tough game against Worthing because since we last played them, they have added some real talent to their roster so we will need to be aware of this and the continued work of Zaire Taylor.

“Once Saturday is out of the way then we can turn our attention to another tricky encounter, especially as we will be without one of our American players.

“Cardiff really raised their game against Worthing last weekend and reminded us all that anything can happen in a cup competition, so we will need to make sure we are tuned in and focused for their visit on Sunday.”

Rockets go into this weekend’s double header with better news on the injury front for club captain Danny Carter.

The 29-year-old has been sidelined for three weeks with a hip complaint, but the 6ft 9in forward is likely to return to the fold this weekend and boost his team’s front court in the absence of Alex Drincic.

The 18-year-old is currently in Spain with the JMA Basketball Academy and will miss both games this weekend.

And with Peña Garcès having to sit one of his import players on Sunday due to rules allowing only one import player to participate against lower league opposition in National Cup competition, he will be hoping his squad remain injury free as the Reading team look to continue their positive start.