Wildcats star Keanu Pinder will miss a second successive game due to illness, but Perth will be strengthened by the return of point guard Tai Webster from a hamstring injury when they host Illawarra on Friday.

Pinder felt unwell last week but still played for 15 minutes against a Brisbane team that was also battling illness last Friday night. The star centre was then ruled out of Sunday’s win over New Zealand and failed to recover for the RAC Arena clash with the Hawks.

Coach John Rillie said the club had isolated Pinder to avoid the rest of the group from falling sick and he would back in other players to again fill the void.

“I think he’s close but it’s precautionary,” Rillie said on Thursday morning before the club officially ruled out Pinder later in the day.

“Being around the group - you’ve seen what Brisbane went through so we are very mindful of everyone else in the group. We’re hopeful but we’re also pretty mindful of everyone else.

“Izan (Almansa’s) progress over the last few month has been tremendous and David Okwera‘s minutes have been very productive.”

Webster suffered the injury during the FIBA break and missed both games last weekend.

Perth beat Illawarra 113-105 when they played last month and that was when Bryce Cotton was unavailable. Cotton scored 59 points against the Breakers on Sunday in stunning display, but averaged only 13 points against the Hawks last season as they used aggressive defensive tactics to quell his influence.

Rillie expects Illawarra to be aggressive again.

“Illawarra last year did a great job of putting two on the ball with him and being disruptive so that’s what we’re expecting,” he said.

“Just because a player outbursts for that amount of points, I don’t think anyone changes their philosophy if they think they’ve been successful.”

The Wildcats produced scores of 117 and 123 points last weekend and have averaged 20 points more in their wins than during losses all season. Illawarra is the highest scoring team this season and Rillie said an attacking game would suit his squad.

“We’re starting to round out and feel comfortable with how our offence is rolling,” Rillie said.

“But it has to be a good flow to the game. You can play frantic and turn it over and take bad shots and you can say you’re playing with great pace but you have to play efficient basketball.

“I want to play a nice tempo. Illawarra plays at a good tempo as well. So it’s really going to be who can make shots and who can put their stamp on it at the defensive end.”