NEWCASTLE Eagles will look to their next generation to boost their BBL title bid after ruling out any more additions to the roster.

The Eagles had been hoping to broker a deal for former Plymouth Raider Drew Lasker, but belt-tightening at Sport Central means Newcastle chief Paul Blake has reluctantly decided not to sanction any further recruitment.

Instead, he has told player-coach Fab Flournoy to dip into the impressive Eagles development squad to help his BBL rotation, with several of the up-and-coming stars already ready to take their place at British basketball’s top table.

Blake has put forward Ross Wilson, Lamar Morrison, Jamie Glenn and youngster Toby Hutton as players who can make an impact if they are bumped up from the D2 development side.

“I have said to Fab and Dave that we won’t be looking to bring anyone else in,” Blake revealed.

“I want to see as a priority the young guys getting an opportunity. It’s the way we should be doing things because we now have that system in place where they should be coming through and making an impact in our BBL sides.

“Of course it is down to Fab and Dave to decide how to do it, but I think that has to be our route this season. And there is plenty of talent there – the team are doing very well in D2 and have the ability and the talent to go and do it at a higher level.

“Just look at Ross last weekend, he didn’t play a huge part in the game but effectively he won it for us. That is one of our younger guys who has got the chance, he’s been training with us for nearly a year and he was able to change the game at an important time.”

The Eagles take on MK Lions at Sport Central tonight looking to build on their 100% league record, which includes a crucial head-to-head over the Sheffield Sharks which will surely come into play later in the season.

A new-look side has benefited from the shrewd addition of Paul Gause and Andy Thomson and a start that owes much to the Eagles having players on board well in advance of the start of the season.

“We have a team here where the players will put their bodies on the line,” he said.

“Of course consistency will be the key and in the past our strength has always been that we’ve been able to string together results after Christmas or in the New Year. This time the start has been fantastic – possibly the best start that I can remember for the Eagles – and that gives us real foundations to build on.

“Without wanting to put too much pressure on everyone here, I think as a club we’re very excited about what this team will achieve.”

While young guns like Wilson snatch the headlines, Blake has also singled out skipper Andrew Bridge for praise after he returned from the close season revitalised. The veteran guard struggled with a succession of niggling injuries last season and took a conscious decision to take a break from basketball over the summer to recharge his batteries. That, Blake believes, has done the trick.

“Andrew Bridge is having a very good spell at the moment and that’s important and pleasing for us,” he said.

“We talked over the summer and he’s started this season firing on all cylinders. He’s certainly playing as well for us now as he did at any point last season.”