Deadly De’Sean Allen-Eikens fired Newcastle Eagles into the quarter-finals of the European North Basketball League with a game to spare as the American’s dazzling return to form sent the Vertu Motors faithful into a frenzy.

The all-action rookie missed Sunday’s disappointing defeat at Surrey as he nursed a niggling wrist strain.

But Allen-Eikens revealed he always intended to play through the pain barrier on another huge night for Newcastle basketball — and a brave decision paid off as the forward poured in 22 points and hauled down six boards.

“I wanted to do it for my team-mates,” explained one of Super League Basketball’s breakout stars. “As soon as I knew the injury was nothing more than a strain it was a no brainer.

“Injuries are part physical and part mental and I don’t mind admitting it’s been playing on my mind.

“But once I got back out there I started to feel more confident taking the contact and everything flowed from there.”

The homecourt Eagles got off to a horror start against the Czechs of Opava — leaking 33 points to trail by 20 after a pitiful first period.

A clear hangover from a sobering league loss against the 89ers threatened to curtail any hopes of a top two finish in ENBL Group A.

But Newcastle’s incredible turnaround was as thrilling as their start was dire.

And somehow the men in black led seconds before half-time after doubling down on defence and converting a series of increasingly good looks.

“I just think the ability to turn things around is in our DNA,” added Allen-Eikens as he sought to explain a sensational comeback.

“Coach Marc [Steutel] preaches to us that we’re 12 deep, it’s going to be a different story every night and that we’re never out of it.

“It’s super exciting to make the ENBL quarter-finals in my first season here. I’m trying to prove that I belong here and I want to help this organisation get back to winning ways.”

An 18-0 second quarter tear sowed the seeds for another compelling come-from behind win on Tyneside.

And once Newcastle gained the momentum, shellshocked Opava simply fell to pieces.

The hosts led by six with 10 minutes to play and extended their advantage to 16 points on the back of a Josh Ward-Hibbert triple two-and-a-half minutes into the fourth quarter.

By then a frustrated Jan Svandrlik had already fouled out and the raging guard’s misery was compounded when he was handed a technical foul for speaking out of turn off the bench.

Steutel also felt the wrath of the officials midway through the final period but the Eagles’ playcaller brushed off a bizarre call and chose to focus on the positives following another famous night for Newcastle.

“De’Sean made the decision to play and I felt he also made the decision to win the game for us,” said the proud head coach.

“I thought his will to win and his ability to impact every time we needed a key moment in the game was vital.

“Defensively he did a good job on his switches and of course it makes a difference when he’s scoring the ball for us.

“But he does so much beyond that too. De’Sean is a special basketball player who can go a long, long way and I’m really excited for his future.”

Newcastle’s sixth ENBL win sent the Eagles back to the top of Group A and victory at struggling Tartu next month should be enough to seal a top two finish.

But it’s back to domestic action on Saturday and a league clash at Bristol Flyers in what doubles up as a dress rehearsal for this month’s Trophy final in Birmingham.

Tickets for the Trophy final, sitting in an Eagles fan section behind the team bench, are available from the box office.