PAUL Gause has declared himself fit and ready for Newcastle Eagles’ crucial weekend double-header.

Point guard Gause has barely featured since pulling a calf in practice at the start of November and the Eagles have missed his play-calling abilities in the meantime – even if they have managed to grind out three wins in the interim.

They may not be able to get away with playing badly and winning this weekend, though, with games against the dangerous Plymouth Raiders tomorrow before a trip to Leicester Riders in the BBL Cup semi-final.

Having a fully fit Gause (pictured right) will be a major boost for Fab Flournoy and the rest of the roster and the news on that front is good, the New Jersey native having taken part in every training session so far this week.

He said: “I think I will be able to play the minutes I am needed for this weekend.

“Whatever role the coach has in mind for me, I am confident I will be able to play it.

“I have taken part in every practice so far this week. I have been doing every drill and every exercise and I am confident I am getting back to where I need to be.

“It was quite a serious calf pull and so I had to be thorough in my rehab.

“However, I am back a week earlier than I thought I would be, which is good news for me.”

Playing in a new league and with a new team, Gause could have done with an unbroken run in the team.

Instead, he will resume his steep learning curve this weekend against two of the better teams in the BBL.

First up will be the Raiders, who are well-placed to challenge in the league this season, before the first leg of the BBL Cup clash with Drew Sullivan’s Leicester – unbeaten so far this season.

Gause added: “These games will be a very tough test for us and we will see where we are against the best teams in the league.

“We now just have to come in and prepare to the best of our ability and be ready to have the best possible weekend that we can have.

“I know both of these teams are strong and they have both started the season well but we have done out preparation and we know if we do our jobs properly we are a good side.”

Gause now wants to pick up where he left off before injuries ravaged his season.

He believes playing in a black and white vest has made it easier for him to integrate.

He said: “I am on a pretty good team which really helps.

“I came into the BBL with an open mind. I did not set expectations either way for myself or the team, but it is a good competition.

“I was enjoying playing before the injury came along. Now I have to try to get back to that level.”

The Eagles are looking to extend their league record to 6-0 but there is little prospect, according to head coach Flournoy, of them challenging the incredible 23-game winning streak set by Kingston in the 1990/91 season.

He said: “I do not see any team breaking that record unless Sheik Mansour comes in to fund them!”