SUMMER signing Elvisi Dusha has suffered an injury blow ahead of Worcester Wolves’ British Basketball League opener against London Lions on Friday (7.30pm).

The experienced point guard “damaged” his left knee in Worcester’s Betway All Star Basketball Championship campaign last weekend.

But head coach Paul James is hopeful the 23-year-old who joined Wolves from BBL Trophy finalists Plymouth Raiders will be fit to face Lions at the University of Worcester Arena.

“Unfortunately Dusha has picked up an injury, so that’s a bit disappointing,” James said.

“But hopefully he will be back for the weekend.

“He has damaged his left knee. It might just be bone bruising, but he is going to be assessed and we will get more information on that.

“Hopefully it is not too serious because he is a guy who has got BBL experience and is a quality point guard so we certainly need him to be fit and healthy.”

James admitted Dusha’s injury did “hurt” Wolves’ hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the new competition at London’s O2 Arena.

Worcester lost to Sheffield and beat Surrey Scorchers before being knocked out by Bristol Flyers.

London went on to win the tournament, which featured 10-minute matches, a running game clock and an opportunity to take five-point shots.

But James did not believe the results gave any indication of how the league would pan out this season.

“I think a lot of the coaches had some reservations about it because of the shortness of the games and the frequency of them,” James added.

“They were worried about guys getting injured ahead of the season. But in the end everyone bought into the spirit of things and I think it was a fantastic event.

“It was a run and gun style of basketball which suits certain teams and players.

“But I think when we get back to playing the true game of basketball it is going to be a different story.”