Connectivity and chemistry will be key — as Newcastle Eagles tackle a stretch of three games in five days against the backdrop of an ill-timed injury crisis.

That’s the verdict of head coach Marc Steutel as the men in black prepare to face Caledonia Gladiators for the seventh time this season.

And the hosts will do so without starters Malcolm Delpeche and Mike Okauru after both players picked up painful injuries last weekend.

The latter is expected to make a full recovery but club officials are still poring over the results of Delpeche’s MRI scans taken earlier this week, after the popular forward was stretchered off the court in Bristol last weekend.

“Connectivity, chemistry and togetherness become really, really important in these moments and I’m proud of how our group has been able to respond to what’s been a really tough few days,” said Steutel.

“We’re going to have to continue to help each other in these difficult moments because we’ve got a big few days coming up.

“I’m really proud of how the guys have reacted so far — I’ve got a professional and committed group who are only focused on how we can respond in the right way to Sunday’s loss at Manchester.

“Losing two of your starting five in the same weekend is going to be tough on any team. It’s affected the mood in the camp but these guys have found a way to stick together all season and I’m confident they’ll continue to do that.”

Newcastle boast an imposing 5-1 record against Gladiators in all competitions this season — only losing out to the Scots in December following Caledonia’s 90-87 SLB Cup win on Tyneside.

And even in the absence of Delpeche and Okauru, the Eagles will start as firm favourites in this Friday night Vertu Motors Arena clash.

Caledonia lost a nailbiting affair 96-84 against Cheshire Phoenix on Wednesday and Steutel expects to encounter a free-flowing side with nothing to lose.

“We’ve seen an awful lot of the Gladiators in various guises this season,” he added.

“It’s only March but we’ve played each other six times and they’ve had three coaches and something like 12 changes in personnel.

“That in itself is difficult and we’re seeing them again with two new players that we haven’t seen already.

“In some sense Caledonia have nothing to lose so they may well be playing more free and loose — that’s never a good situation.

“It would be a difficult game for us to prepare for at the best of times but given what happened last weekend it’s a real challenge.”

Friday’s SLB Championship fixture is the first of three in five days with trips to London Lions (Sunday) and Bakken Bears (Tuesday) looming large.

It’s not the first time this season that Newcastle have embarked upon a crazy schedule but Steutel admits it gets no easier planning for such a demanding stretch.

“Have I found the right approach when it comes to preparing for a run of games like this,” he added. “The simple answer is ‘no’.

“For me the number one priority is protecting my players as best I can and making sure they stay fresh mentally and physically.

“We just have to find a way to be better whenever and wherever we can.”

With February’s transfer deadline now passed Newcastle face a long season run-in reliant on a core group of key players who’ve continually shown their big game mentality this season.

Steutel has always believed in the quality and commitment that’s already returned the Eagles to winning ways in 2025.

And he added: “It’s time for different players to step up in different areas of the game. I’m confident they’ll do that.”

Limited numbers of ticket are still available for the Friday night tip-off and can be purchased from the box office.