Solent Stars' directors have announced that they are re-appointing Mark Scott as club coach next season.

After a tough baptism last year, Scott (pictured) has made significant progress this term, guiding the club to third in the NBL Conference with every chance of making next month's play-off Final Four.

Director Jim Rumsey said: "Mark has done a marvellous job with very limited resources.

"Finishing third in the league and taking the two teams above us to close finishes - including a victory over Plymouth - is a marked improvement over last season.

"We have not had many players in the squad this season and have had a run of injuries.

"This has had an effect at training sessions when we have not been able to practise as much as we would have wished. But for that, Mark might have had an even more successful team."

The poor turn-out at training is a sore subject with Scott ahead of tonight's (Saturday's) final league game of the season at Manchester Magic (George Carnell Sports Centre, 7pm).

He stressed: "We need to put our house in order. Our displays of late have not been convincing and some players have lost their confidence.

"Poor attendance at practice has cost us dear but we have already shown that, on our day, we have no-one to fear in this league."

Tonight's outcome will decide Stars' opponents in the play-off quarter-finals.

If they complete the double over Manchester, it would mean three consecutive matches against the Lancashire team with home and away legs set for April 20 and 27.

But if Manchester win and Worthing Thunder beat ninth-placed Sutton, Stars would be paired with south coast rivals Worthing.

Given the choice, Scott would prefer to meet near-neighbours Thunder. He said: "We know their plays better and also the strengths and weaknesses of the individual players.

"Worthing were hurt when they cut former Solent player Paul Mundy-Castle from the team.

"Since then they have not had many good results.

"The atmosphere will be better too since both sets of supporters will be anxious to see the games."

Veteran American Alan Cunning-ham, who was ejected after just 83 seconds on court against Coventry last week, will not be travelling to Manchester.

With Scott unwilling to aggravate his heel injury, Solent will not have a 'big man' to lean on and will be relying on another good performance from Nic O'Harabe in the middle of defence.

For ticket information about the NBL Championship Finals at the Coventry Skydrome next month (May 11/12) ring the hotline on (024) 7663 0693.