READING Rockets (3-0) will take their unbeaten start to the NBL Division One campaign to the north west on Saturday evening (6.30pm) when rivals Manchester Magic (2-1) will play hosts to the Berkshire outfit in both teams' fourth game of the regular season.

Rockets have started their league campaign in steady fashion picking up wins against Team Newcastle, Hemel Storm, and most recently Worthing Thunder when they ran out 92-83 on Saturday.

Rockets head coach Manuel Peña Garcés was pleased with the Thunder victory and also Sunday’s 124-44 thrashing of Cardiff City in the fourth round of the National Cup.

He said: “We played an excellent three quarters against Worthing and then seemed to struggle in the fourth quarter, one which we have already reviewed and moved forward from as conceding 40 points in one quarter at any level is unacceptable.

“I was pleased we won the game and then responded the following day in the National Cup. Now we must transfer the good things we are doing into Saturday’s game against Manchester and prepare thoroughly for a tough game.”

The Spaniard continued: “Manchester have done a great job over the past few years. They remain the team to beat in my opinion because of their history in this league and also the talented roster and coaching staff they have.

“They possess talent at each spot and coach Paul (Middleton) has done a great job with his teams in getting them to maximise this.

We expect a very tough game, but it’s one we feel has come at a good time.

"It will be a test for both organisations to see where they are at at this point in season and hopefully another great advert for NBL Division One basketball.”

Rockets will be without Under 18s Iñigo Perez Baena and Adrian Nosa Castillo as well as Under 19 Alex Drincic who will all be absent from this weekend’s trip.

Along with assistant coach Alan Keane, they finish their Erasmus tour of Spain the following day.