SOLENT Stars have suffered two setbacks going into their do-or-die National Trophy weekend, writes WENDY GEE.

Because of the unavailability of their home court at Fleming Park, they must play tomorrow's (4pm) fixture against Worcester Wolves at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth.

But ahead of that they face a trip to Coventry Sports Centre tonight (7.30pm) for their penultimate pool match against Coventry Crusaders.

To qualify for semi-final stage, Solent must win both remaining pool matches - and, in the case of the Worcester game, triumph by more than six points having lost the away fixture 84-78 in early October.

The loss of team captain Mark Jackson with a leg muscle problem is another cruel blow to the Stars, who put on probably their best display of the season last weekend when losing at leaders Sheffield Arrows.

Stars responded well after Jackson's premature exit at Sheffield, responding to the Arrows' pressure before finally going down 85-76.

Coventry have had a season of mixed results and lie just above Stars in the league, thanks in part to a 64-57 away league victory over Solent.

Solent, for their part, will be looking to repeat their 76-70 National Trophy win against the Crusaders, which opened their season.

Last week Worcester Wolves lost 94-88 at home to a Reading Rockets team who had earlier beaten them in the National Cup semi-final. Solent are hoping that the additional scoring power of newcomer American, Larry Parker, will tip the balance in their favour for this return National Trophy game.

Solent men's second team, currently second in Division 3 East, take on Bognor Pirates ahead of the first team game at the Mountbatten Centre tomorrow (2pm).

Bognor have a 3-6 win/loss record and are lying eighth. However, they had a 30-point win over Reading's second string last weekend with ex-Star Alex Byrne top-scoring with 21 points.

His father, Solent coach Mick Byrne, will have the task of getting his team to shut down his son's scoring power.