Cheshire Phoenix head coach John Lavery is hopeful of his recruitment for next season underway within a month.

After taking over the reins as head coach for a second spell, Lavery has been busy identifying potential new recruits for next season’s BBL campaign.

An influx of new faces is expected for the club, who move into their new 1,400-seater home at Ellesmere Port Sports Village at the start of the new season in September, after the departures of last season’s American contingent of Taylor King, Demond Watt and Dustin Salisbery as well as Bulgarian veteran Simeon Naydenov.

But with many players not wanting to commit too early, Lavery admits he may have to play a waiting game before his side begins to take shape.

“It is quite early days at the moment with recruitment as players don’t usually want to decide their future too early,” said the Nix coach, who took over from John Coffino last month.

“We’ve been looking at who might be a good fit for us but players who commit earlier are usually far more expensive.

“It’s just a matter of sorting through everything at the moment. Hopefully in the next month or so we’ll be in a position to announce some signings for next season.”

Lavery said that the door to a Nix return had not closed on British duo Martyn Gayle and Adrien Sturt, both of whom starred for the Phoenix in the final third of last season’s BBL campaign that ended with the Nix missing out on a spot in the play-off final at the O2 Arena by one shot.

Both Gayle and Sturt are currently unattached and boast vast experience in British basketball’s top tier.

The door to a Nix return for Adrien Sturt, left, and Martyn Gayle has been left open
The door to a Nix return for Adrien Sturt, left, and Martyn Gayle has been left open

“I’m open to anything at the moment and Martyn and Adrien are great, experienced BBL players,” added Lavery, who will be assisted in his coaching duties by club chairman Mike Burton, general manager James Brice and club captain David Aliu in his duties next season.

“They both did a good job for us last season and we haven’t counted anything out yet.”

Brice, who graduated from the University of Worcester with a degree in sport business management, has been appointed to the full-time role of general manager of the Nix and has been tasked with helping the club to grow in the community and maximise its potential, something which Lavery believes can only be a positive thing.

“These are exciting times for the club right now and in all my years being involved with the Nix, I can’t remember us ever having a general manager,” said Lavery, who has been given a larger recruitment budget than he had during his last spell as head coach.

“James (Brice) is a great lad and has been a long-time supporter of the club.

“He’s got a good basketball CV in terms of coaching and he has the skills through his studies at the University of Worcester to help the club move forward. He will be a great addition to the back room staff.”

The sports hall, with a seating capacity of 1,400, which will be the home of the Nix
The sports hall, with a seating capacity of 1,400, which will be the home of the Nix