New boy Jason Medford has been told to shape up and play a key role for Brighton Bears in their title push.

Medford will be on the bench for his home debut tonight against dark horses Scottish Rocks at the Triangle (7pm).

Bears go to Chester tomorrow (5.30pm) to tackle one of their main title rivals.

Medford has featured in away games at Rocks and Newcastle but coach Nick Nurse insists there is more to come from him.

He has called for the 30-year-old forward to follow the example of Wilbur Johnson, who shed pounds in the summer and is having the season of his life.

Nurse said: "Jason's okay. He played well in Scotland in the first quarter. He came in and put a couple of buckets in right away which was a nice boost to us when we were struggling.

"We have got to get his fitness up. It's too bad he wasn't here to see Wil's tranformation because as it is he's not in good enough shape.

"He needs to really work hard between now and the end of March to be a big time player in the stretch run for us."

Nurse will decide tonight whether to risk Ralph Blalock, who has not trained all week due to a toe injury. Blalock suited up at Newcastle but was ineffective and Nurse insists there will be no repeat.

He said: "We need Ralph to make shots and do all the things he usually does."

BBL leaders Sheffield won 89-78 at Milton Keynes last night.