The Berkshire outfit - missing three senior players and finishing the game with their youngest ever debutant, 13-year-old forward Richard Amaefule, on court - suffered their third straight loss last Saturday as they went down 73-67 to Newham Neptunes.

The Reading team did however recover very well and record their first win in four the following day as the defending champions advanced to the semi-final stage of the National Cup after beating the Leicester Warriors 84-80, despite being 12 points down at half-time.

In assessing his team’s current form, Rockets Head Coach Manuel Pena Garces commented: “I was delighted we were able to maintain our challenge for the National Cup and show a lot of heart and character to do so.

“We lost another close game the day before and we were 12 points down at half time away from home and it was looking like it was going to be another difficult weekend but we worked so, so hard and played really well to come away with a great four point win.”

“Now we must focus on getting all of our players back fit and ready to play.”

He continued: “We can definitely compete with every team in this league and quite honestly we could be sitting here with four wins out of four but we have had some very difficult end games that we must work on putting right also as well as being able to have a fully fit team.

“Our physio is working really hard with all of our injured players and we hope to have some good news in time for Saturday on this. I’m also hoping that our Chairman is able to make a new signing to strengthen the squad. I know he is seeking clearance from the States for a 23-year-old British guard who has been educated in the basketball haven of the States for some six years and is raring to go now he’s back in the UK. It will be good news if we can sort it all out by this weekend.”

Rockets defeated Worthing in overtime earlier this season and Pena Garces admitted they are a “very strong team”.

He confessed: “I am expecting this game to be very similar because they have some real talent on their team. For us this week we must prepare for this but also rest a little bit after a heavy schedule so we can put all of our efforts in to getting a much needed win in the league but we know our opponents will make it tough for us.”

Rockets go into the Worthing clash with several injury concerns still, including American guard Alex Zurn who will have a late fitness test before the coming weekend.

The 24-year-old has been out of action for a week now with a back injury but there has been some good progress over the last couple of days. Captain Danny Carter managed six minutes of play during the weekend and his torn calf will be assessed again this week by the Rockets club physiotherapist Maitena Senar.

Shooting guard Matt Davis was also on the treatment table during the weekend after he suffered a back strain the night before the loss to the Neptunes.

The 18-year-old played limited minutes during Sunday’s win but looks almost certain to return to the fold for this Saturday’s game against Worthing.

The Berkshire outfit were able to give debuts to 15-year-old guard Jay Carter and Amaefule last weekend but both young stars are away this weekend.

• LEICESTER led 23-15 after the first quarter and then 40-28 at half-time in Sunday’s National Cup tie, but Rockets produced a superb comeback to win.

A half-time blast from Pena Garces inspired his troops and they scored 29 points in the third quarter - including six trebles - to move 57-55 ahead.

And they finished off the come-from-behind win in thrilling fashion. Leading 79-75 with a minute to go, Leicester closed the gap to two before Emmanuel Campi scored a three-pointer.

Warriors scored from the free throw line but Adria Baiget and Sergi Guardia stroked penalty shots home to seal the win.

Baiget was Rockets top point scorer with 23, while Guardia contributed 16.

Reading had led 20-19 after the first quarter against Newham the previous evening, but the hosts hit back to claim the spoils as Rockets injury woes worsened.

Top scorers for Rockets were Deion Turman with 19, Guardia with 16, and Guillermo Sanchez with 13.