Jonathan Woods has been confirmed as Worthing Thunder's second American for the new EBL season.

The 6ft 7in forward will not play in Saturday's friendly at home to Gaylon Moore's Plymouth Raiders (8pm).

But he will line-up alongside compatriot Alfredo Ott, a guard, for Thunder's competitive opener, at home to Westside or East Kent in the National Cup on September 24.

Woods averaged ten points and six rebounds per game two seasons ago playing top-flight NCAA basketball at Fresno State, the college which produced former Worthing Bears star Cleave Lewis.

He later played for Gran Rapids in America's IBL.

Meanwhile, Mancunian hotshot Steve Gayle, who averaged 19 points per game from the back court last season, has reported back fully fit following summer knee surgery.

James Brame returns for a fifth season which should take him past the 100 appearances mark.

Combo guard Rani Malik is back at the club after two seasons with Nottingham Knights in division two. Malik averaged 12 points per game for the Knights last season.

Thunder have also picked up shooting guard Rob Newsom, who has returned to Sussex after studying in Sheffield and will spend part of his time coaching one of the Brighton Bears youth teams. That leaves room on the roster for one more signing.

Steve Vear, Nick Oharabe, Pat Bates and Jon Bailey had already been confirmed for the new season with Chris Mayes joining Gary Smith and Alan Sweetman-Hicks on the coaching team.

As well as Moore and Daniel Hildreth, Thunder have lost Sam Mead to American college basketball, Teon Knox to the Irish league and Okolie Ugbana.