Nick Nurse was today fighting to keep Rico Alderson in his play-off semi-final plans.

The Bears MVP was handed an extra one-game ban when disciplinary officials examined his recent ejection against Leicester Riders.

That would rule him out of Saturday's play-off semi with Chester Jets at the NIA.

Alderson has already served the statutory one-game ban but has been hit by extra penalty points for his part in a scuffle with Riders' Chris Webber.

Bears chief Nurse was putting his player's case at an appeal today. He said: "It's absolutely ridiculous. He never threw a punch. I have sent the game tape in and am asking them to review it."

Nurse is playing down claims he has resigned himself to losing Alderson to London Towers.

The Crystal Palace side are reported to have agreed terms with Alderson, who has already indicated he sees his future away from Brighton.

He said: "Towers have probably approached him and given him a contract and offered him a lot of money.

"I think that's unprofessional but I know Rico will still turn up next weekend and play his guts out."