Nick Nurse today took the heat off his faltering Brighton Bears as they faced another key week in their British League campaign.

Bears host Thames Valley Tigers at the Brighton Centre tonight (7pm) knowing they need a win to keep realistic title hopes alive.

They then go to Leicester on Saturday and leaders Chester on Sunday to complete a hectic period of five games in nine days.

Three defeats in the last seven outings have left Bears as arguably third favourites for the title behind Chester and Newcastle.

Nurse, though, insists his team, who have already lifted the BBL Cup, have exceeded many people's expectations already.

Bears have cut playing costs this season and injuries to Ryan Huntley and Yorick Williams mean their line-up is now made up entirely of rookies and players aged 35 or over.

Nurse said: "At the start of the year people were wondering whether we would be a top-eight team.

"I give these players a lot of credit. They have really played well and most importantly they are outstanding guys.

"Apart from Yorick, none of these guys had any place to go.

"I didn't outbid anybody for Ryan Huntley, for Andrew Alleyne, for Tony Holley, or even Yorick.

"Yorick is largely here because he hung in there during the summer, did most of our community work and coaching camps and wanted to be here.

"Andrew Alleyne is on the same contract as he was a year ago.

"I told him I'd like to give him a raise, just cost of living, but I couldn't.

"We picked up Steve Lepore on a trial. Lots of teams in the league talked to Ajou Deng but nobody made him an offer.

"We provide them with housing, but it's not glamourous stuff, and the use of vehicles to do their schools coaching.

"The players have ten hours of community work to do a week in their contract and we make money from that.

"They work hard. They start lifting weights at about 8.45am, hit the practice court at about 10.15am until noon and then go on to a school to coach or speak."

Players and coaches are working at half-term camps for youngsters this week.

Nurse's insistence on value for money extends to new guard Cheyne Gadson, who played 78 of a possible 80 minutes last weekend, including the full 40 in victory over Milton Keynes Lions.

The Bears chief added: "Considering where we're at right now, he's not going to come off the floor unless he's hurt or in foul trouble."

Which should mean a busy night for Bears' latest hotshot in his first outing at the clubs's showpiece venue tonight.

Gadson said: "I didn't sit at all (against Milton Keynes) but I wasn't tired. It didn't bother me."

Nor does having to learn Bears' plays. He added: "It's just basketball. I've been playing for a long time at different levels and it's pretty much the same thing.

"Every coach has his own philosophy but the plays are pretty similar to what I'm used to running."

Bears did not pick up any further injuries in defeat at Plymouth on Sunday but have been told there is no chance of seeing Duncan Ogilvie back this season.

Ogilvie is due for a second operation on his troublesome knee and has been told he will probably be able to resume playing in June.