Joe Perera is ready to keep winning the mind games and help Brighton Bears to another semi-final.

The first-year point guard from Hertfordshire and fellow English rookie Pat Bates return to the venue where they made their debuts in October as Bears visit Thames Valley Tigers in the BBL Trophy tomorrow (7pm).

Both had their moments in that opening night win, Perera connecting with a baseline jump shot and Bates adding an offensive rebound and put-back on the third quarter buzzer when Andrew Alleyne missed a free throw.

The pair have found the going tough since then but have had perhaps more court time than they might have expected, not least in big games against UConn and Milton Keynes last weekend.

Now coach Nick Nurse wants them to play even more of a role coming off the bench as Bears look to continue their promising start to the season.

Perera has impressed Nurse in training and the 23-year-old from Berkhamstead revealed: "The other players keep telling me 'just do in games what you do in practice'.

"My main thing is to go out there with confidence, not be intimidated or let my mind play games with me.

"Physically I'm quicker and stronger with the ball than I was and I see things around me better. The main thing is to be mentally prepared."

Bates, the 6ft 9ins centre from Worthing, has yet to push on from a decent start to the season and admitted: "The BBL hasn't been what I expected. The style of play is a lot harder than I thought it would be.

"Everyone says the English league is not as good as in Europe but the standard seems pretty good to me.

"It's taking time to adjust but I hope to prove myself to the coach and rest of the players.

"The older guys like Drew and Tony (Holley) are really good. Tony took me aside the other day and showed me a couple of post moves and me and Drew shoot together all the time."

Bears will have to do without their other English rookie, Duncan Ogilvie, again tomorrow, though he is making progress from his knee problem and remains on course to hit the deadline he set himself and return against Plymouth a week tomorrow.

Ajou Deng, though, is struggling with a foot problem and, having not been registered in time for the first trip to Thames Valley, could again be set for a Saturday evening on the Bracknell bench.

British/Canadian forward Radhi Knapp hopes to have his licence through in time for his competitive Bears debut coming off the bench.

Nurse admits there is still work to do for Bears to reach what would be a fourth semi-final in 12 months in all competitions.

He said: "This group will go all the way and I place a lot of importance on this game in terms of protecting our lead over Thames Valley and staying in rhythm."

Bears need to win the group to go through to the semis and two wins from their remaining three games could do it.

Assuming Plymouth complete the double over Thames Valley, a win for Bears tomorrow would turn the group into a two-leg tie between the south coast clubs.

Defeat tomorrow and Bears would have to beat Plymouth home and away.

Newcastle's midweek win over Scottish Rocks means they will go through providing they beat Teesside.

Chester only need to beat Leicester to reach the semis at the expense of Sheffield.

The remaining group is likely to come down to home and away ties between London Towers and Milton Keynes with Birmingham making up the numbers.