Mike Brown is a major doubt for Brighton Bears as they bid to go top of the table tonight.

Bears' influential guard hasn't trained all week because of bruised ribs, the legacy of a challenge from Rico Alderson in last weekend's 89-97 defeat by London Leopards.

That defeat prevented Bears from overtaking London Towers at the top of the southern conference.

Bears' coach Nick Nurse said: "Mike's a pretty tough guy. He's been having physio and he will travel, but at the moment I wouldn't expect him to play."

Nurse watched Bullets, one of his former clubs, win their first match in the NEBL on Tuesday night when they defeated Bulgarian outfit Yambolgaz 91-88.

"They played well against a decent side so we know it's going to be a tough game for us," added Nurse who is expecting a positive reaction from his outfit after their setback on Saturday.

He said: "We need to bounce back. From an effort stand point we were thoroughly outplayed at the weekend which surprised me because we normally hustle sides out of their stride."

Victory would take Bears, who lost in the midlands five months ago, level on points with Towers, both sides having played 28 games.

Nurse added: "The team which holds its nerve the best in the last few weeks could end up winning the league, let's hope it is us."