SHEFFIELD SCIMITARS - whose season has been blighted by injury - hope to have Steve Duncombe and Robert Dowd back in the line- up this weekend.
Scims finished the English Premier League campaign in fifth position and are now in Group A in the Play-offs.
They will head into the post regular season still missing an import.
This is unlike other teams in the league who carry an extra imp
ort to cover for injury.
Ron Shudra commented: 'We have persevered through the ups and downs of the season to finish in the top five.
"We have overcome an enormous amount of injuries that let us play at full strength for maybe ten games this year.
"We have relied on the best junior development system in the country to fill our gaps, and they have all done a fantastic job for us this year."
Group A is the tougher group comprising: Guildford Flames - EPL League champions; Peterborough Phan-toms - an in-form team who recently had a winning streak broken by Scimitars; Romford Raiders who had a difficult start but have gained confidence under Rob Stewart as coach, along with some stability in the goaltending area once Mark Lee returned to England and Carl Ambler returned from a long term, early season injury.
Group B includes Slough Jets, Bracknell Bees, Milton Keynes and Swindon Wildcats.
Scimitars travel to Romford on Saturday, returning to iceSheffield to face Guildford Flames (6pm.)
Ticket prices are: £7.50 adults, £3.00 children, £4.00 students and concessions, £18.00 Family ticket.
Scimitars will then be at home on the remaining two Saturdays - March 29 v Peterborough Phantoms and April 5 v Romford Raiders, both 7.15pm.
Further details:
www.sheffieldscimitars.co.uk or iceSheffield.
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