Bryce Cotton will miss Thursday’s clash with the Sydney Kings after being ruled out by the Perth Wildcats.

Cotton tested his injured right thumb at training on Wednesday and the coaches waited until today to make a decision on his fitness.

They felt it was too big a risk to play him, but have left the door open for him to return against Cairns at RAC Arena on Sunday.

Sunday Dech will play as Cotton’s replacement after previously covering for captain Damian Martin.

Martin will return from his calf injury but he will be on restricted minutes.