WITH Durham Wildcats having completed "phase one" of their development as a BBL club, Dave Elderkin is looking for his players to start establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

The Wildcats are in action twice this weekend, hosting Sheffield Sharks at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre this evening before travelling south to take on Cheshire Jets tomorrow.

The BBL new boys have still only claimed one win from their five BBL league games to date, but last weekend's narrow defeats to Mersey Tigers and Plymouth Raiders once again confirmed their ability to compete at the highest level.

Durham have not been embarrassed in any of their matches this season, and with the club seemingly at home in its new environment, Elderkin is hoping his players will start to translate their strong performances into victories.

"I think we're through phase one," said the Wildcats play caller, who was crowned The Northern Echo's Local Hero for 2011 at Thursday's Local Heroes Awards. "I believe the guys now think they are a genuine BBL outfit, they should because they are.

"Twice we've been ten points up on a serious contender, but twice we've lost. We need to make sure we know how to play and what to use when we next get into that position.

"Five of the games we've lost have been by five points or less, so we are competitive. Naturally, none of us are happy with the losses, but there are positives."

One of the biggest positives has been the recent return of Paul Elderkin, who suffered a serious shoulder injury in pre-season and missed the opening month of the campaign.

Elderkin was involved in both of last weekend's matches and is slowly returning to the peak of his form.

"Paul's return is a big bonus for us," said Elderkin senior. "He clocked up 70 minutes of action over the two games (last weekend), scoring 39 points in the process."But good as it is to have him back, I probably overplayed him against Plymouth. I should have called up a fresh pair of legs in the final quarter and that's something I'm going to have to think about."

Elderkin is likely to stick with his strongest starting five for this evening's game, having been impressed with the way in which Ralph Bucci, Mike Capocci and Mario Flaherty bounced back from a poor display against Mersey Tigers with a strong showing against Plymouth.

He will then assess fitness levels ahead of tomorrow's trip to Cheshire, who are the only side to have lost to the Wildcats this term.

"Durham are a well run club with a good team," said Jets head coach John Lavery. "Ralph Bucci and Mike Capocci are their key players."