ESSEX Pirates’ Alan Metcalfe is finally close to being in ship shape condition.

And he is aiming to make it count at Everton Tigers tonight.

The powerful 24-year-old forward has been dogged by an ankle injury for the majority of the season so far.

But he is now playing with only minimal pain.

“My ankle is a lot better,” confirmed the influential Metcalfe.

“The after effects of being out for so long take their toll conditioning wise and my ankle is still a little weak but I’ve been holding this injury for a while now and it’s just turning the corner.

“I still get a few little niggles here and there, merely because of how long I've been out, but it’s nothing that wasn't to be expected.”

Metcalfe has become more involved again in recent weeks for the Pirates and he now hopes to help his side return to winning ways against Tigers after a run of three successive defeats.

He is also sure his side can pull off a shock after some improved displays in recent weeks.

“If you look at the way we have performed since the Leicester game, barring Newcastle, we are playing better and improving week to week,” said Metcalfe.

“Everton are struggling with respect to their own standards but are still having a decent season.

“We have to play well and play well for 40 minutes if we are going to compete and have a chance of winning. “ But Tigers will provide another stern test.

They are currently sixth in the BBL standings and have recently signed former Newcastle Eagles star Trey Moore, who Metcalfe is sure will be a real threat.

“He was MVP of the cup final for Newcastle last year and is a great player,” said Metcalfe. “He’s smart and an extremely talented scorer who we need to contain, and not let any other guys have career games against us to make sure we are in with a chance.

“There are still 25 games left in the season, so a loss wouldn't be devastating but we need to start turning these good starts into 40 minute performances and converting them into wins.”

If that happens then Metcalfe is hopeful that the Pirates, who are currently bottom of the table, could surge up the standings – just as long as they keep on getting better and apply themselves properly.

“We set goals at the beginning of the season as a team which we redefined over Christmas and, although the results haven't shown us to be getting better, we are definitely improving,” said Metcalfe.

“I just want us to not get disheartened as a team because of the losses, come to practice every day wanting to get better and the wins will take care of themselves.

“We are extremely young and inexperienced compared to a lot of other teams in the BBL, yet we are still competing and with a few changes here and there, a couple wins will snowball I feel, and the playoffs are still within our grasp.”

Pirates will have Sam Toulwase back for this evening’s game which tips off at 7.30pm but Pablo Rodrigo faces a late check on his own ankle injury.