READING Rockets will face a tough trip to third-seeded Loughborough Riders in the NBL Division One play-off quarter-finals on Saturday.

Despite a final-day 95-85 victory against Manchester Magic, Alan Keane's men missed out on fifth place with Derby Trailblazers coming from 20 points down against Hemel Storm to win by 10 and secure a trip to Thames Valley Cavaliers.

The two other quarter-finals include newly crowned NBL Division One champions Team Solent Kestrels facing Leicester Warriors, and runners-up Worthing Thunder hosting Essex Leopards.

Saturday’s match will be the fourth time the two teams have met this season with the series 2-1 in Loughborough’s favour.

Rockets won their home league encounter back in December 101-86, while the Riders claimed a narrow 84-81 win two weeks ago.

The East Midlands outfit also secured an impressive 91-66 National Trophy semi-final win in Reading at the end of January.

Rockets head coach Keane is relishing the post season and is hoping his team can upset the odds and keep their journey alive.

He said: “We are very happy to make the play-offs and the good news is we still feel we have a lot to give and to offer.

"Last weekend’s game was a special one in terms of playing the right way and also celebrating the services of Danny Carter to our club, but now it’s all about focusing on this weekend’s game against Loughborough.

"After our loss up there two weeks ago, where we felt we gave the game away after leading for 38 minutes, we go there feeling we can put in another good performance and come out with the desired result.

"However, it will take us to be firing on all cylinders and committing 100 per cent to everything we do. It's an exciting opportunity and we will prepare and give everything to keep our season alive."

Rockets go into Saturday’s winner takes all game with no new injury concerns and will be buoyed by the performance of captain Danny Carter last time out.

In his last ever game at Rivermead Leisure Complex before his impending retirement, the 6ft 9in forward poured in 21 points as well as creating eight assists.