THE Essex Leopards return to action with a pair of key games this weekend.

The Big Cats travel to Derby Trailblazers tomorrow before hosting Hemel Storm at the Basildon Sportring Village on Sunday.

And the in-form Carl Josey is hoping for two positive results.

“I think this is an important weekend for us as two victories would push us up the table and in to a comfortable position moving into the Christmas break period,” said Josey.

“Derby are a very good team that are just having a bad run at the moment and we can't go into that game taking them lightly just because they have lost a few games.

“It’s a long trip so we have to be prepared physically and mentally for it and we have to get things right against Hemel too.

“We’ve beaten them already this season but I think we will have to prepare to face a different team this time.

“I can see they are going to play us quite differently from a tactical stand point but we need to just make sure to focus move the ball and get everyone firing on all cylinders so it will take a team effort.”

Leopards, who were without a game last weekend, beat Hemel 81-61 when they visited Basildon in the National Trophy in October and they will be confident of securing more success against them on Sunday.

For Leopards have won two of their three Division One games this term while newly promoted Storm picked up their first top flight win at the third attempt on Saturday with an 89-52 hammering of Brixton Topcats.

The match tips off at 4pm.

Ticket prices have been set at £6 adults and £4 juniors with a family ticket for two adults and two children costing £16.