Reading Rockets director of coaching Matt Johnson has praised his young players for their first-team form.

Johnson's side have been hit by injuries this season and they played against Brixton Topcats last week with only nine players.

"The youngsters have worked hard and are our top scorers. It's been a really important journey for them," he told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"There are some pleasing signs coming through the club."

The Rockets start their National Cup campaign on Sunday against Portsmouth City Smugglers.

It is the second time in two years these teams have faced each other in the competition and the fixture comes straight off the back of a narrow 79-78 defeat by Brixton, where the Rockets lost the game in the final few seconds.

They'll come out fighting and have nothing to lose. Reading coach Matt Johnson

Johnson will be hoping his young team, including Louis Sayers, Harrison Gamble and Steve Baughncan, can turn things around and put the disappointing result behind them.

"Last week's performance was two-points short of what it needed to be. But this Sunday is a cup game and we've won it before so we'll certainly be looking to defeat Portsmouth," he said.

"They'll come out fighting and have nothing to lose but we'll be hopeful we'll be walking off with a smile this weekend."

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