Newcastle Eagles Head Coach Chloe Gaynor takes her side into the last week of the regular season with two bites at the cherry of the reward of finishing 3^rd in The Super League Basketball standings,  a position they currently occupy.

They face Manchester Basketball in a huge game at the Vertu Motors Arena tonight in front of their own loyal fanbase before travelling the short distance to Maiden Castle, Durham on Sunday less than 15 hours later to take on the Palatinates in the Derby clash.

Should Gaynor’s charges take the win at home against Manchester tonight they will secure that much coveted third position. Lose and then they have to go to fierce rivals Durham and win there in what is an extremely tough turnaround time to grab their intended goal.

Understandably like all coaches, Gaynor is taking it one step at a time although acknowledging how tough it is to prepare for such a tough weekend.

“We’ll take it one game at a time and priority has to be given to the Manchester game and getting the job done early. We’re aware of what this weekend means for us regarding standings. It’s a big game for both teams Manchester and us tonight.”

“Everybody wants that one more win to get us that third place which would be amazing. We’ve already recorded out best ever record as Newcastle Eagles and our highest placing is assured and its awesome that we have a home quarter-final game to look forward.”

“Manchester are not going to come in and lie down. They played a great game beating Oaklands last weekend. They’re a top class team and we’re going to have to be the best version of ourselves from the get-go to meet their challenge head-on.”

“We’ve prepared well and the girls are ready so hopefully we can get the result we all want. Our priority this week has been Manchester which is not disrespect to Durham. The chronological order of the games and the priority of where we can finish is where we are focused.”

“It doesn’t mean Sunday’s game isn’t important, it is but we have to approach it one game at a time and tonight is that first game.”

There’s no doubt that if the Eagles can see off Manchester tonight it takes all the pressure off the game on Sunday but as Gaynor alluded it’s still a tough task all round to prepare for such a weekend.

“The key to it all is recovering mentally and physically. You’ve got to have a short-term memory for this type of stuff. We have a great group of staff that will help us recover. The intake of food quickly the stretching giving out any treatment to players that need it.”

“That’ll put us in the best place we can be to recover and prepare for the second game making sure each and every player does what they need to do to give themselves the best chance of being in a good place for both games.”

Whatever the outcome this weekend Gaynor’s side will be at home next weekend in the play-offs a fantastic achievement and one this side the way they have played and performed this season they very much deserve.

“It’s something to be proud of. Each and everyone that has contributed is part of history and I’m pleased for the girls to have achieved what they’ve achieved. But we’re not done yet. We have this weekend and then next and it would be great to leave our own Arena this season on a high.”