Nick Nurse has told treble-winning Chester Jets: "We are every bit as good as you."

Nurse's Brighton Bears tackle the trophy, cup and northern conference winners in an eagerly awaited BBL play-off semi-final at Coventry on Sunday (6pm).

It is Bears' biggest game in years and Nurse is convinced his men can clinch a place in the Wembley final.

The Brighton coach said: "They have won three trophies but I think we are as good as them, if not better.

"It will probably come down to who makes the plays at the end of the game and we are pretty good at that."

Bears came from 15 points down to beat Jets in their latest league meeting, despite losing Albert White early in the third quarter.

They have been working on a defensive strategy this week in a bid to contain point guard John Thomas, the BBL player of the year.

Nurse hopes the return to form of White can make the difference going forward.

He said: "Everyone will have to be key if we are to win.

"Wilbur Johnson is a huge factor, Randy Duck was key when we beat them and Albert has been really playing recently.

"Chester was the only poor game Albert has had recently and he can be a very important player for us."

Bears fans, especially the more superstitious among them, will be relieved to know Nurse and his assistant Steve Swanson have scrapped plans to run in Sunday's London Marathon.

The last time they donned their running shoes in serious action was in the Brighton 13-miler, on the same day as the costly home defeat by Newcastle.

Their withdrawal on Sunday has more to do with logistics than superstition.

But Nurse, who will enter the Prague Marathon instead, said: "We want to do everything the same as we did for the quarter-final last week."

Jets are expected to give James Hamilton the full 40 minutes, even though he has hardly played since last month's trophy final due to an ankle problem.

Hamilton has been hoping to have an operation for some time but NHS waiting lists may mean he is still available on Sunday.

The former Worthing Bears star said: "My ankle is sore and I won't know whether I can play for sure until Sunday."

Jets are definitely without bench men Mike Redd (broken leg) and Dave Gardner (holiday) but can be expected to field a formidable starting five, rated by many fans as one of the best in the league's history.

Worthing Thunder must win at home to lowly Sutton tomorrow and hope Manchester lose to Solent if they are to claim fifth place in the NBL Conference.

That would give Gary Smith's men a two-legged quarter-final with Kingston.

If results go against Thunder, they will be paired with Solent in the last eight, which appears to be the tougher draw.

Coach Smith said: "I am confident we can bump Sutton off but we don't really mind who we get in the play-offs."

The game will be preceded by an important WNBL division two south clash as third-placed Brighton Magic entertain unbeaten leaders Plymouth Racers (5.45pm).