Marc Steutel is tipping Trey Pulliam to become a breakthrough star for Newcastle Eagles this season — if he can stay on the floor and stay out of trouble.

The US guard bounced back from the disappointment of being fouled out against London last Friday to dish up a clutch of key assists in Sunday’s win against Manchester.

And crucially Pulliam picked up just one foul in 22 minutes against Callum Jones’ men after learning a harsh lesson up against the Lions.

“Trey has the quality but he has to stay on the floor,” said Steutel ahead of the Wednesday night European North Basketball League (ENBL) showdown in Estonia.

“He’s a really efficient and talented ball player but we saw on Friday that he’s still going through some of the adaptations that other players face at the start of the season.

“It’s a different league and there are different expectations but he has to try and control what he can control.

“I thought he was on the wrong end of some really difficult decisions against London but when he was out there he was outstanding on defence.

“Trey’s already proved to be a great addition to the roster and I’m looking forward to seeing more from him this season.”

A win for Newcastle in Tartu will secure top spot for Steutel’s men in Group A of the ENBL.

Tartu Ulikool Maks and Moorits can’t qualify for the playoffs after slipping to a 2-5 regular season record.

But pride dictates the hosts will be in no mood to roll over for Newcastle’s benefit with ever-present Omar El Sheikh determined to sign off in style after averaging 13 points, nine rebounds and a block per game in this season’s ENBL.

Steutel has described his Eagles’ roster as ‘beat up’ and ‘battling illness’ heading into what promises to be another tough challenge on the road.

And while a midweek fixture allows Pulliam, in particular, to get more minutes under his belt in a Newcastle jersey there is an argument for resting key men ahead of Friday’s homecourt clash with Cheshire.

Victory against Tartu will set up an ENBL quarter-final tie against old foes Bakken Bears. Defeat in Estonia and Newcastle will finish runners-up in Group A — with Legia Warszawa lying in wait.

Pulliam’s backcourt buddy Christian James is refusing to look too far ahead but he insists that the Eagles’ early qualification for the knockout stages won’t affect the approach to the clash.

“We’re already through to the ENBL post-season but as a team you always want to strive for the best and we want to win in Europe on Wednesday,” he insisted.

“We don’t want to look back and wonder whether we could have done more. We’ve taken every game in this competition seriously and we’ll continue to do so.

“With one in the bag already this season it’s about collecting as many trophies as we can now.”

Josh Ward-Hibbert, who has missed Newcastle’s last two league games, is unlikely to be risked in Estonia although Steutel did describe his do-it-all leader as ‘in contention’ for a welcome return.

Given the fact that the Eagles have already secured qualification — and that the club is in the middle of a run of four games in eight days — this tip-off could provide Will Neighbour with a way back into action as the big man moves towards full match fitness.

Watch the action live and for free from 5pm UK-time on the ENBL YouTube channel.