Brighton Bears were today meeting with Hove MP Ivor Caplin in a bid to turn their European dream into reality.

The British League high-flyers have been given the chance to enter the new EuroCup in the coming season after their exploits on the home front last term.

They were given a deadline of 5pm today to decide whether they could compete within tough player restrictions laid down by FIBA, European basketball's governing body.

Nick Nurse, the club's head coach and general manager, held meetings yesterday in a bid to secure the necessary backing.

He said: "It is in the balance. The offer is there, it is going to be up to us whether we accept it.

"This has all happened very quickly. Certainly had it come round at the end of this month I am convinced we would have gone for it.

"This is the direction the club want to move in but we cannot do it without help."

Bears have made great strides to secure backing from Brighton and Hove City Council and believe a show of support from Caplin today could tip the balance in favour of competing.

If they take up their place, they will play in the Western Conference of the new-look competition, along with Birmingham Bullrets.

Nurse is an advocate of European competition and led London Towers to their lone win in the powerful EuroLeague two seasons ago.

He spent part of yesterday speaking with Alison Muir of the English Basketball Association, who is also a Western Conference board member.

The Bears coach has already planned his close season recruitment, working within the five Ameicans framework permitted by the BBL as opposed to the two allowed in Euopean competition.

He revealed last night that he was closing in on the signatures of Sterling Davis and Wilbur Johnson, Bears' players of the season in the past two campaigns.

The chances of Albert White returning appeared rather slimmer and Nurse has identified a possible replacement from across the Atlantic.

Meanwhile the Bears chief has told fans to keep the faith as they wait for updates on television and sponsorship deals for the British League.

Writing for his column in tomorrow's Sports Argus, the Bears coach said he was optimistic of good news on both counts.

RISING STAR: Interview with Andy Smith in tomorrow's Sports Argus