Brighton Bears skipper Michael Brown will make his long awaited comeback from injury next weekend.

Brown took part in his first full training session since early December yesterday and has been pencilled in for his first start against London Leopards next Friday.

The influential guard has missed the last nine matches after tearing his thigh muscle in training and in his absence Bears have won just once.

Coach Mark Dunning said: "We're delighted that Mike's on his way back, we have missed him more than I thought.

"He stepped up to full training yesterday and providing there's no reaction we should see him next weekend. He is not going to be in game shape for a while, but even if he only plays for 30 minutes in a game it's better than him sitting next to me wearing his street clothes.

"He is our most consistent player and the only guy we have who can shoot from outside. There are others who are supposed to do that, but they have not been able to put it in."

Bears stopped the rot after ten successive defeats with a one-point win over Manchester Giants last Saturday only to suffer another heavy defeat against Sheffield Sharks the following day.

And they are likely to have their work cut out again tonight when they try to avoid a fourth defeat this season against London Towers at the Triangle (8pm).

The southern conference leaders have also beaten bottom of the table Bears twice in the Uni-ball Trophy, although Dunning believes his side are capable of pulling off a shock.

"We have run them close twice and in the last game I felt we could have won," he said.

"It's always going to be tough when your guys who can score don't produce any real end product, but we're still trying to be positive.

"The season has been a disaster, but the team spirit is still there. If that went we might as well pack up, but the guys have individual pride to play for and if they keep doing that then the team will benefit as well."