Daniel Hildreth warmed up for a return to Worthing Thunder and joked: "I expect to get booed again."

The former Thunder point guard was heckled by fans at Leicester last week after drawing a charging foul from Ryan Huntley.

Hildreth took a whack to the face during training on Tuesday but expects to be part of the Genesis Brighton Bears team who tackle R. Barker (Tarring) Thunder in an eagerlyawaited BBL Trophy derby on Saturday (8pm).

The visitors also field Steve Parillon, who walked out on Thunder midway through last season to join rivals Reading.

Worthing's team features Brighton old boys Pat Bates, who is likely to play despite a hand injury, and James Brame.

It is Bears' first competitive visit to Durrington since they moved to Brighton in 1999 and Hildreth is ready for some banter from the crowd.

The 28-year-old local boy said: "I couldn't understand why I got booed at Leicester.

"It was a charge but there was no malice from either Ryan or myself.

"They were even booing me when I walked to the bench. I thrive on that sort of thing, though.

"I've never had it to that extent but I'm sure I'll get a few boos on Saturday at Worthing. I expect Steve Parillon will as well."

Alan Sweetman-Hicks, assistant coach at Thunder, believes Hildreth will get a warm reception.

And he has advised Thunder fans not to waste their energy on jeering Parillon.

Sweetman-Hicks said: "Danny should get a great reception from the crowd.

"He was a popular, hardworking player for the team for a number of seasons.

"Steve is a different matter and the crowd were a little hostile when he came back with Reading last season.

"I would expect more of the same due to the circumstances of the way he left.

"Personally, I think they should forget that now and get on with supporting us rather than winding him up and making him play harder."

Hildreth expects a real test from Worthing, who play a division below Bears but have started the season well.

He said: "I've spoken to a couple of the Worthing guys about it. It's a game they are looking forward to.

"I'm still good friends with Thunder and they will remain my friends until 7.59pm on Saturday, then we're enemies until about ten o'clock.

"They've got a nice shooting team and seem to be playing more up-tempo than in previous years."

Thunder are not selling tickets in advance of the game and the advice is to get there early.

Tickets will be on sale from 6pm, priced £6 for adults, £4 for children and £14 for a family.

Bleacher seating, which was used back in the BBL days, will be available, taking capacity to about 900.

A match between fans of the two teams will offer pre-game entertainment.