Speaking on video on thestar.co.uk the six-footer from Leamington Spa recognises the scale of the challenge facing all British goaltenders who are cast down a pecking order ruled by imports.

But he insists he wants to be a starting goalie - and if not in the Elite League, then he will eventually move on.

The former Basingstoke Bison played around 17 full games last year but accepts that was mainly because one of their goaltenders left mid-season.

Asked about his ambition to be a number-one, he said: "It's hard to do in this league; there's a lot of good import goalies, no home-grown goalie really has ever broken through and played."

But if he does not get a break, then he would consider "maybe another league."

He said it was hard to compete against north American goalies like Lehman - they are brought up with far more ice time from a younger age.

"He's been a number one for years and you need that game experience to break in.

"A lot of Brit goalies work just as hard as import goalies; it's just all about playing and getting the chance."

But his job was to push Lehman - something most No 1s liked, because it kept them on their toes, he said.

"I''d like to see some ice, you never wish injury or bad performance on a team-mate but I want to play as much as I can."

Green said he would like to play "at least half a game" against German team SC Bietigheim Bissingen, on Saturday and Sunday at iceSheffield.
n Ex-Steeler Dan Tessier has signed for Nottingham Panthers.

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