Raiders 'need to up their games'

Beasley could be out for up to two months with his dislocated shoulder

Plymouth Raiders head coach Gary Stronach says his squad must step up to fill the gap left by DeAntoine Beasley.

The 30-year-old player-coach has been ruled out for up to two months after dislocating his shoulder in the BBL Trophy win at Worcester on Sunday.

It means the American will the BBL Cup final against Everton Tigers on Sunday.

"We know we're going to be without him for a number of weeks and they all have to step up their games," Stronach told BBC Radio Devon.

Beasley is to have an MRI scan to assess the extent of the damage.

"From that we'll know where we stand on whether he needs an operation or whether we can get it back to a suitable standard where he can play again without surgery," added Stronach.

Beasley is in his seventh season with the Raiders, having turned down the chance to go back to his native USA to take up a player-coach role at the Pavilions.

"He'll be a big miss, but the good thing is he'll still be around the team. He can be a big plus for us even though he's injured," Stronach said.