MOORE ARRIVAL GIVES EAGLES A TIMELY LIFT

Newcastle Eagles have received the boost they wanted – with the news that point guard Trey Moore has finally received his visa.

The American has been held up for almost a month in Los Angeles while officials tried to break through red tape to get clearance for him to travel to the UK.

However Moore, who is returning after a season on Merseyside, is expected to arrive in Newcastle on Thursday morning and will make his debut against Glasgow on Friday night.

It is a welcome lift for the Eagles following their comprehensive destruction by Mersey in last Sunday’s league curtain-raiser. And although head coach Fab Flournoy is considering an addition to his squad, he insisted he is not unduly concerned about his line-up.

“I am not a coach who will panic and start thinking about changes on the basis of one game,” he said.

“That is not the way our organisation is. This team will only be judged when the team we put together is actually all here. Until then I am delighted that I have a committed bunch of guys who are all playing hard for our club.”

Martin still searching prime shape

Guildford Heat captain Mike Martin has admitted he is still short of full fitness after undergoing knee surgery in the off-season.

The former England international saw limited minutes his side’s opening double-header against Worthing and Plymouth last weekend.

But he concedes he still has work to do.

“I’m still not 100 percent, and have a lot of rehab to do on my knee,” said Martin. “There’s no cartilage left but I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far, and I’m getting there.”

The Heat’s captain was also reasonably happy with his side’s opening games.

“We got off to a good start against Worthing but obviously it wasn’t so good against Plymouth on Sunday,” said Martin. “We played reasonably well but there’s a lot of work to do if we’re going to be better.”

Jamell targets Pirates role

Essex Pirates guard Jamell Anderson has vowed to capitalise on his increased playing time to earn a bigger role at the Southend outfit.

The Great Britain Under-20 international will face a key test when his side hosts Milton Keynes in the BBL Trophy on Saturday, after impressing against Leicester last weekend.

And he wants to repay the faith of Essex coach Tim Lewis.

“I played the whole game and I really enjoyed it,” Anderson said. “I had no problem at all doing it and jumped at the chance to be honest because I want to try and play more minutes this year.

“That’s my target and, after talking to the coach, I know what I have to do to make that happen so I’m aiming to make more of an impression.”

Anderson played a key role in GB under-20s finishing sixth in the European Championship B Division.

“It was amazing and I loved every single second of it,” he said. “We lost one game during the group stages which meant we couldn’t go through to the semi-finals but we played really well.”

Scots cap Murray heads to Cheshire

Cheshire Jets have moved to strengthen their roster by signing former Scotland skipper Gareth Murray.

The 6’7” forward Murray is understood to have seen a move to the Malaysian League fall through after rejecting a fresh deal with Glasgow in the summer.

However Jets coach Paul Smith has moved to end his hiatus after allowing Jamal Williams to move to the Tigers.

“Gareth is a good athlete with a hard-nosed attitude to the game,” said Smith. “He will bring energy and commitment to our game and has the added advantage of knowing this league inside out and that experience will be a great help in bedding in our new players who are BBL rookies.

“Once he has had time to train with the team and familiarise himself with our plays, I am sure we will see him playing a valuable role.”