The Milton Keynes Lions will remain in the town after finding a home for the 2010-11 season.

The club have acquired a warehouse in the retail district of Winterhill and hope to open the venue by mid-November.

The council will consider an application from the club to clear the site for leisure use.

Lions owner Vince Macaulay told BBC Three Counties Radio: "We're excited because it means we've got something to focus on."

MK have been homeless since the end of last season, when it was decided they would no longer use the Middleton Hall shopping centre.

They are set to use the Stadium MK Arena upon its construction, but delays have led to the club looking at other options.

The British Basketball League has given them permission to play their first three games at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium, which should lead up to the opening of the Winterhill site.

Jelani Gardner is American born but holds a French passport

"We're confident we'll get planning permission, we're in talks with the council and the leisure services have been very helpful," Macaulay added.

"They're going to walk us through the process of the planning application and on the face of it there's no reason for it not to go through."

Meanwhile the Lions have added 34-year-old shooting guard Jelani Gardner to their roster.

The USA-born player was considered a future NBA talent in his youth but found his career hampered when he discovered he had kidney disease at the age of 19.

Head coach Mike New said: "I have had the pleasure of playing with Jelani before, I vowed I would have him on a team I coached.

"His pedigree is outstanding and he has been successful at every place he has played.

"At 6ft 6in, he can score, rebound, defend and his passing is a treat."

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