MANCHESTER Magic's cameo players can have a leading role in the club's quest for more trophies.

That is the verdict of coach Jeff Jones, who is calling on his bench men to step into the limelight for the key part of the season.

Magic face a Division 1 double-header this weekend - at home to Worthing tonight and at King's Lynn tomorrow - and Jones is conscious of the strain on his starting line-up.

Guards Matt Miller, Steven Gayle and John Cagianello and star forward Andy Thomson have shouldered most of the workload as the club have claimed the National Cup and moved to third in the EBL1 with a record of eight wins from nine.

But rather than bring in reinforcements to boost Magic's push for more silverware - the league, play-offs and National Trophy are still in their sights - Jones is happy to rely on his squad men.

"We're OK, we'll go with what we have got," he said. "Andy McKay and Gavin Hastings have been solid when they have come in for us and, hopefully, Stefan Gill and Geri Major can help us give more so we can rest our perimeter players, who are vital to us.

"Miller has had lots of court time and we have a few back-to-backs coming up so, hopefully, we can give him a break."

Jones is delighted to be able to count on Steve Boonham again with the 6ft 8in centre back in the fold after two years out with Achilles problems.

His display, including one power-packed dunk, was one of the positives of the Trophy pool game defeat to West Herts last weekend, and Jones added: "It's good to see him back. It was difficult after so long out and we have had to ease him in, but his confidence is up."

Matt Hogarth, though, is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

MAGIC will play their National Trophy semi-final at Reading on February 4.

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