Newcastle Eagles will have to perform at their ‘absolute best’ to see off London Lions and make a third final of the season.

That’s the verdict of head coach Marc Steutel ahead of the Friday night playoff semi-final first leg in the capital.

But Newcastle will have to meet Steutel’s standard without star men Darius Defoe and De’Sean Allen-Eikens after both players were ruled out of the Final Four showdown.

“London are obviously the frontrunners and heavy favourites in this tie,” admitted the Eagles’ playcaller as the fifth-placed men in black look to upset the top seeds in their own backyard.

“The Lions are a very talented roster and boast a clear defensive DNA. They’ve been playing really good basketball over the last few weeks of the season and I’m sure getting to the play-off final is one of their goals.

“We know we have to be at our absolute best and, at the same time, try to make sure that London aren’t at the top of their game. Over 80 minutes there’s no room for error.

“We want to be successful but we know it’s a monumental challenge. The one thing that’s true about my group is that we’re committed and we always try to find a way to stay together.

“There are going to be some challenges and there will be some intricacies that we need to focus on but we’re really looking forward to the test in front of us.

“We’re excited to play the second leg at home in front of our fans and we’ll try to do all that we can to get to the O2 Arena later this month.”

London surprisingly ceded home advantage in the second leg and instead chose to tip off a mouthwatering semi-final tie at the Copper Box Arena.

And that means a rare Sunday afternoon tip for homecourt fans at the Vertu Motors Arena.

Whether Defoe and Allen-Eikens will be back for the second leg remains to be seen but neither player has been passed fit to play in London.

“Unfortunately they won’t be involved,” revealed Steutel as an unforgiving season continues to throw up fresh injury curveballs.

Defoe limped off in Manchester last Sunday and Allen-Eikens was sidelined for both quarter-final clashes against Herman Mandole’s men.

It’s simply more of the same for Steutel who’s seen Mike Okauru, Seneca Knight, Josh Ward-Hibbert and Cole Long miss key games in recent weeks.

But battling Newcastle have still found a way to stay in the playoff mix and he added: “It’s taken more effort, more focus, more dedication and application from my group than people could ever imagine.

“I don’t think people on the outside probably realise just what’s been required to get this far.

“We’re getting ready to play games 59 and 60 and we’ve had significant health challenges and injuries throughout that period.

“But the group just continues to find a way to fight for each other and fight for this club and that’s what’s made me most proud.

“I’m really, really pleased with the guys’ determination, their grit and with how they’ve responded in difficult circumstances.”

If league champions London are hot favourites to progress to the final game of the Super League Basketball season then Newcastle are masters at negotiating high-pressure semi-finals.

Success in the SLB Trophy and ENBL Final Fours should empower the Eagles and Steutel added: “We have already had some experience in these situations.

“What’s been true in those other semi-final games is that our level of play and our level of application has been super consistent.

“London is a different challenge for sure. They’re a well-organised organisation, well-coached and really talented. But we’re ready.”

Friday night sees the Vertu Motors Arena host the First Leg Fan Zone with places in the Brian Manning Suite bar still available.

Tickets for Sunday’s semi-final second leg with a 4:30pm tip are available from the box office.