Mark Dunning admits Brighton Bears need to sharpen up their summer recruitment, whoever is in charge.

The outspoken coach should learn more about his future after tomorrow's end-of-season trip to Thames Valley Tigers from 6 pm.

But, as Bears reflected on a fourth successive wooden spoon, he said: "We clearly have to get some some better players.

"We haven't got a bottomless pit of an owner and we haven't got a huge sponsor.

"If the budget remains the same it's workable but I, or whoever is here, is going to have to manage it very judiciously.

"You can see what's happened this year has not worked. That was probably our only error."

Dunning has pressed owner Romek Kriwald to reveal his plans for next season but admitted: "He insists he will not make a decision until the end of the season. That's his prerogative.

"Because of the way our season has gone he has been deferring his decision. Read what you like into that. "It's not entirely satisfactory because one wants to know where the next mortgage payment is coming from."

Bears must again do without Wilbur Johnson and Demetric Reese while Tigers are without forward Simon Ogunlesi.

The 6ft.10in Scott was this week banned for 14 months for headbutting London Towers' Kendrick Warren.

Reese believes his lay-off with a collar bone injury has spelt the end of his Bears career.

He said: "I've been told I risk making it worse if I try and play. I hate it. I'm just trying to keep doing my little exercises and get ready for wherever I play next year.

"I don't think it will be back here."

Dunning believe his side can give a good account of themselves, despite being without two of their usual starters. He said: "I am expecting one great last effort from the guys."

Kriwald is continuing talks with a potential new investor.

He is set to appoint a general manager with Richard Parker, whose work on the commercial side has brought such impressive results, a front runner for the position.

Rico Alderson's triple double for London Leopards at the Brighton Centre last week has helped him onto the shortlist for the BBL player of the month award.