BBL legend Shawn Myers has left Cheshire Phoenix by mutual consent.

The 44-year-old, who has had five different spells at the club, met  Nix coach John Lavery this week, with the decision taken to part company with immediate effect.

Lavery said the forward, whose BBL career spans 12 years, will go down as a legend.

“Shawn has been a great servant to this club, one of the all-time greats,” said Lavery.

“It is a huge disappointment to have to make this announcement.

“But everyone on the playing side of the club has been taking a long hard look at the way we have started the season and after discussing it with Shawn, we all feel this is the right decision.”

Lavery believes his side can take the confidence from last weekend's big win over Surrey United into Sunday’s clash with One Health Sharks Sheffield.

Nix were in fine form at the Northgate Arena last Sunday, recording a morale-boosting 99-70 victory.

It is just Cheshire's second BBL Championship win of the season, and moves them to eighth in the standings. Sharks prevailed when the sides last met, back in September.

Atiba Lyons' side,  third in the table, won 73-61 on the day, and were comfortable winners against  Durham Wildcats in their last fixture.

Lavery said: “We have a completely different roster, and they have brought back BJ Holmes since we last met.

“Things will be looking different for us and they have had some great results, Atiba Lyons has them playing really well and really hard.”

On his own side's renewed confidence, Lavery added: "No-one likes losing and the guys have come in this week on a bit of a high after last weekend's win.

"It's going to be a real fight on Sunday and we have to approach it with a positive attitude."

Nix have benefited from the arrival of power forward Gerald Robinson, whose experience and physical presence should make a significant difference to Lavery's side.

Sheffield are certainly approaching Sunday's game with caution, with centre Michael Tuck saying: "We've seen Cheshire once already this season, they were a very tall and athletic team.

"Obviously they have made a few changes since then so we have to go into this game expecting the unexpected.

"A big win against Surrey will give them some confidence and it looks like they still have some guys that are able to put up big numbers. For us it will be all about defence and shutting guys down."