Nick Nurse today laughed off any idea Brighton Bears are heading for a wooden-spoon season and told his critics: "Keep writing us off."

Bears' low-key preparation for the new campaign has got some fans fearing a mid-table, or worse, position in the British League.

One of the more popular British basketball message boards carried a suggestion that Bears could be propping up the other ten teams by the end of the campaign, which starts next weekend.

But Bears coach Nurse said: "We are not done with our signings yet.

"I've still got a spot left for a dual-national and that one tends to be a good player.

"There is a very small group of dual-nationals around at the moment which is why I am taking my time but I'm not overly worried about our situation. We are okay with a chance of being good.

"And I don't worry about being tipped to finish last.

"People said we would finish last the first season I was here.

"We ended that season level with London Towers at the top of the Southern Conference."

Nurse will look for a dual-national of similar quality to players like Tony Holley, Mike Brown and Jason Siemon, anglo-Americans who have figured in his teams of previous seasons.

Bears also have room for a an overseas player not requiring a work permit after signing Terrance McGee, Marshall Sanders and Andrew Alleyne to fill the three work permit slots.

Nurse travels to Birmingham today to watch the Bullets in pre-season action.

The match, against the touring Shandong Goldstone Lions from China, is a chance to check on Bears' first opponents of the season.

And it will also give him another opportunity to chat with Yorick Williams about a return to the south coast.

Bears have failed to land a last-minute invitation to a pre-season event in Spain and could go into the season without having played a friendly Meanwhile Daniel Hildreth, who recently rejoined Bears as player and community coach, has admitted he cannot wait to start working with one of his favourite players.

Hildreth will be sharing back-up point guard duties with Ronnie Baker in the new season and he said: "I'm over the moon about that.

"I'm looking forward to training every day, improving my fitness and being on the same side as Ronnie.

"Up until this season, I've worn the No.7 whenever I could because of Ronnie.

"I used to watch him play when he was at Worthing and Brixton.

"He is still the best point guard England has produced in my eyes.

"To see him working week in and week out is really exciting. I'm 28 now but I still hope to improve in that sort of company."

Neither Baker nor Hildreth can wear No. 7 at Bears. The number has been retired in tribute to Alan Cunningham.