'No more slip-ups' is the message from Cheshire Phoenix coach Ben Thomas ahead of this weekend's BBL Championship fixture double header.

Since their glorious lifting of the BBL Cup last month, the Nix have lost three of their last four league games.

Expectations at the club have risen after their cup success and a talented Nix Roster have been challenged to deliver a top-eight finish this term.

The 82-77 home reverse against Sheffield Sharks condemned the Nix to a ninth defeat of the season and left them four points adrift of the play-off spots.

Alarmed by his side's loss of form, Thomas has urged the Nix to arrest their slump in tonight's clash against Manchester Giants and Sunday's trip to Surrey Scorchers.

He said:"It's been said before this season, but both of these games are must-wins as far as we're concerned.

"We have games in hand on a lot of our rivals for the top eight places, but we have to make those games count.

"I don't want us to be one of those sides who are relying on other teams to drop points to help our league position at the end of the season.

"This season is still in our hands and we're in control of our own fate in that respect, so there can be no more slip-ups now.

"What was most frustrating last weekend is that we allowed the game to get away from us by abandoning our team game to play as individuals."

The Nix edged past Surrey with an 82-80 their season opener, but have won just one of their two clashes with Manchester this term.

Thomas called November's disappointing 88-79 reverse to their north west rivals 'the lowest of lows' and wants a much-improved showing tonight.

"We want to put result right in the first game against Manchester and then hopefully build on that with a positive result at Surrey.

"It's going to be a battle to get two victories so it's up to us to ensure we learn from our recent mistakes and improve."

Nix trio Orlan Jackman, Raheem May-Thompson and Devan Bailey all return for the Nix after a Commonwealth Games training camp with the England team this week.

The Scorchers start their fixture double-header with a trip to Bristol Flyers tonight, while leaders Leicester Riders host Sheffield Sharks, Leeds Force head to Newcastle Eagles, and Worcester Wolves host Plymouth Raiders.

Sunday's only other league clash sees Bristol head to Plymouth.