READING Rockets (4-1) face a weekend road trip as they visit Derby Trailblazers (2-3) in NBL Division One on Saturday evening (7.15pm) and Team Solent Kestrels (4-2) on Sunday (3pm) in the National Cup quarter final.

Rockets bounced back from their defeat to Manchester Magic the previous weekend with an impressive 95-74 victory over Bradford Dragons last Sunday to keep up the pace at the top of the league.

Reading’s head coach Manuel Peña Garcés believes this weekend’s double header will be another stern test for his side, admitting: “I was pleased with our performance against Bradford in many parts of the game and that enabled us to get back to winning ways.

Reading Chronicle:

Ali Sbai shields the ball from Bradford Dragons.

“In other areas it highlighted the need for us to continue to work in parts of the game we need to be better in and this is what we will continue to do this week and across the season.

"Our focus remains at the defensive end and making sure we are not allowing teams to get comfortable playing against us.”

He continued: “This weekend will be another great test for us. Derby is always a tough place to go and although they are still building for their season they pose some threats we must negate if we are to go there and win.

“I like what coach Matt (Shaw) has done over the years with his teams and we will be working hard to better ourselves to give us a chance to perform well against a good, organised unit.”

Reading Chronicle:

Rockets' Tim Gill eyes up a basket.

Turning his attention to Sunday’s knock-out affair at Solent, Pena Garces said: “For us, they have been a tricky team to play against, but the experience we do have is one of learning and how we must be better against a strong group who have started the season very well.

“We know the areas we want to focus on for this game so when we have navigated this week and Saturday’s game, I feel we will be ready for a tough battle.”

Rockets go into the weekend with no new injury concerns and a full roster to select from including Under 18 duo Iñigo Perez Baena and Adrian Nosa Castillo.

They missed last Sunday’s win over Bradford Dragons due to an U18 game.

Division Four regular Charles Acquah-Davis has been a part of the roster in the previous few weeks as cover, but looks set to retain his place in Reading’s top team as they look to remain in the top four of the league and reach the final four of the cup along the way.