ACHARA BOOST FOR GB SQUAD; UPDATE.

SCOTTISH basketball forward Kieron Achara last night declared himself fit for the Eurobasket finals.

The Stirling-born player's availability is a major boost for GB coach Chris Finch ahead of the action in Poland next week.

Achara, right, has missed four warm-up games with a groin injury, disrupting Finch's preparations for the tournament.

But the Scot practised when the squad returned to London yesterday along with fellow casualties Joel Freeland and Flinder Boyd.

Achara, who will now await confirmation of his place in the final 12-man pool, said: "It feels good now after treatment. I'm almost back at full speed."

HOCKEY: Scotland's men have drawn the short straw for November's Hero Honda World Cup qualifier as they are to travel to Invercargill in New Zealand to compete against the hosts, China, Malaysia, Austria andWales.

The Scots are seeded last and with only one team qualifying for the finals in New Delhi next year the Kiwis and China are favourites to fight it out.

SPEEDWAY: Glasgow Tigers are sweating on the fitness of James Grieves and Lee Dicken ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Stoke Potters.

Both missed the Bank Holiday defeat at Newcastle, Grieves with shoulder and neck problems and Englishman Dicken a hip injury. ICE HOCKEY: Former Paisley Pirates forward CallumWallace has signed for Dundee CCS Stars.

The 21-year-old is likely to make his debut in Fife's two-day preseason tournament this weekend along with the hosts, Solway Sharks and Sheffield Scimitars. SNOOKER: Marcus Campbell is out of the Pro Challenge Series in Prestatyn after a 5-0 loss to former world champion Ken Doherty in the quarter-finals.

CRICKET: Gordon Goudie took five wickets for Scotland Lions in the ECB 2nd XI Championship against Notts at Cleethorpes.

The bowler, who also claimed the same number of Aussie scalps last week, finished with figures of 5-52 as Notts were 223 all out.

But another dismal batting display saw the Lions close their first innings on 94-6 yesterday.