Hanks is banking on Johnson

Cam Johnson makes his debut for Manchester Giants at home to Sunderland Scorpions tonight with his coach, Mike Hanks, hoping he has made the right choice with his "last chance" American for the season.

Clubs are allowed to register only four foreigners and Johnson, who averaged 22 points at Northern Iowa University, fills the quota for Giants. They sacked another guard, Marc Blucas, after last weekend's National Cup defeat by Chester Jets.

Blucas had earlier replaced Craig Beard, another back-court misfit for the Giants, who had also tried another American, Asad Ali, pre-season although he had never been registered.

The only American success for Giants this season has been their leading scorer, Mark Robinson, who has not trained since injuring a leg against Chester. Hanks may also learn this weekend that the 6ft 11in England international, Danny Craven, needs a cartilage operation.