Caledonia Gladiators present a stiff early-season test of Newcastle Eagles’ true potential with the fast-rising Scots a growing force in British basketball.

That’s the verdict of head coach Marc Steutel who has nothing but admiration for a franchise chasing success at home and abroad under ambitious new ownership.

But the Great Britain playcaller is confident his new-look Newcastle can stay one step ahead of Caledonia as a developing cross-border rivalry gathers pace.

“The Gladiators put their squad together early in preparation for their Champions League qualifier last month and they got off to a good start in the Trophy against Manchester last weekend,” said Steutel.

“We know the threat that they carry. We’ve developed a healthy rivalry with them over the last few years and we saw them in the playoffs last year.

“Everybody in the media is talking about the strength of their roster but we see this weekend as another opportunity to take another step forward.

“It’s a great chance for our group to build on the positives that we’ve seen so far.”

Something will have to give at what’s expected to be a febrile Vertu Motors Arena tonight.

Both teams go into a hotly anticipated clash undefeated in this season’ s remodelled Super League Basketball Trophy.

And both sides swept aside Manchester Basketball last weekend despite bedding in a slew of new players.

“Outside the Vertu Motors Arena, which is the best basketball arena in the country, PlaySport is a fantastic venue for basketball,” added Steutel.

“It’s given the Gladiators organisation a strong foundation and under Steve Timoney they’re committed to bringing in quality players.

“My focus is Newcastle Eagles and I only want one team to be successful this weekend.

“But Gladiators are one of many programmes helping to raise the level of basketball in this country and I respect what they’re doing up there.”

Respect aside, Steutel is desperate to maintain his Indian sign over Caledonia and build on last season’s playoff double against the Scots.

Newcastle dumped the higher seeded Gladiators out of the playoffs at the quarter-final stage without the need for a deciding fixture.

And if much has changed on court for the Eagles — with experienced backcourt trio Jordan Johnson, Rickey McGill and Larry Austin Jr all leaving Tyneside in the summer — then Steutel’s mantra remains the same.

“It’s all about building trust within the team but trust only comes with time and the fixtures are already coming thick and fast,” he added.

“I like a lot of elements of our play so far and I think we’re showing the right attributes.

“But it’s a long season and we have to stay together and prepare for the setbacks.

“If we hit a bump in the road — which we will, given the strength of this league — we need to fall back on that trust.

“The really exciting thing right now is that we’ve picked up a couple of tough wins and yet there’s still so much room for improvement in our play.

“These guys want to win but they want to get better every single day. And we will need to improve against the Gladiators.”

Newcastle play Caledonia twice in eight days with a trip to PlaySport scheduled for Friday October 11.

And that game could see Cole Long suit up in the SLB Trophy for the first time.

The Canadian forward is Newcastle’s only injury worry after picking up an ankle knock in practice and Steutel confirmed tonight will come too soon for the club’s summer recruit.

Remaining tickets for tonight’s Trophy clash are available via the Box Office.