Jon Burnell admits that Leopards’ home encounter with Worthing Thunder on Saturday is his side’s biggest challenge of the season.

The Big Cats need to defeat the Thunder if they are to clinch fourth spot in the EBL Division One table, and a home play-off quarter-final against Bristol Academy Flyers.

Defeat against the south coast side would leave Burnell’s team needing to travel to Bristol.

“It’s the biggest game of the season for us” said Burnell. “We simply have to play better than we did against Derby. We’ve got to go out there and put it all on the line against them.

“It would be a real disappointment if we don’t get home court advantage after everything we’ve done.

“I doubt anyone thought we were capable of finishing in the top four after we announced we were going without Americans and we weren’t paying players, but having been in the top four all season it would be a shame if we couldn’t finish the job.”

Thunder have won the last two Division One titles, but will have to settle for third place this season.

The sides have met three times this season, and although the South Coast side have won all three games, the last two have gone down to the wire.

Leopards will welcome back Matt Eames after he missed the loss at Derby Trailblazers, but Leigh Greenan is unlikely to play due to an ankle injury.

Saturday’s game at Wodson Park tips off at 7.30pm with tickets available on the day.