THE Cheshire Phoenix go into their final two games before Christmas without their top scorer after Chez Marks returned home to Kentucky early to recuperate from an injury.

Marks has torn ligaments in his right thumb, damage he did in training prior to the Mersey Tigers game a fortnight ago.

He has been playing through the pain barrier ever since despite experts at renowned Chester physiotherapists, 10 Bridge Health and Wellness Centre, advising four weeks of rest for the injury to heal.

Phoenix management group member Andrew Donaldson said: “We looked at what was possible and with the break coming up we were able to bring forward his flight by seven days to extend his recovery time.

“He returns on December 27 in time for the trip to London Lions in the BBL Cup on the 28th when hopefully he will be close to fully recovered.”

Despite his injury, Marks’ performances have not dipped and his absence leaves coach Matt Lloyd without his most potent weapon.

Despite the off-court dramas that have blighted the club this season, Marks’ impressive points-scoring has seen him lead the BBL Championship’s scoring chart by almost three points per game, averaging 22.6.

But the Phoenix will need to get the job done without him this weekend as they travel to take on Manchester Giants tomorrow (7.30pm) before welcoming Sheffield Sharks to the Northgate Arena (5.30pm).

The Giants sealed only their second win in 13 last weekend and Jeff Jones is hoping his side perform better at Wright-Robinson College than at the Northgate, when a phenomenal buzzer- beating three-point shot by Marks won the game for the Phoenix.

“We almost stole the game when really we had no business to,” said Jones. “They just wanted it more than we did as a unit.”

The Sharks have endured a difficult campaign and sit below the Phoenix in the table. Coach Atiba Lyons wants his side to focus on the fundamentals that have been lacking so far to overhaul their rivals.

He said: “We have struggled this season taking care of the ball and rebounding so that is our focus. We need to limit easy transition points and turnovers.”