Injuries are behind me says Talbot

Sheffield Steelers' new Canadian forward was restricted to 44 games last season and 38 before in the ECHL a league which has 72 fixtures a year for each team.

The ex-Alaska Aces star suffered a groin problem in 2006-7 and an ankle problem in the previous campaign.

Talbot said: "I have had a couple of injuries but always come back from them.

"I bounced back and played the last half of last season and feel stronger now and hopefully the injuries won't return.

The 27-year-old disappointed Alaska when he chose to leave.

Aces' coach Keith McCambridge told the Anchorage Daily News: "For our sake, hopefully it will be a dismal rainy fall in Sheffield" - implying that he hopes Talbot will return there sooner, rather than later.

Steelers' coach Dave Matsos, who tried to sign Talbot last Summer, will block that if the player finds the same points and assists touch in Britain which he enjoyed in the ECHL.

n Steelers' skipper Jonathan Phillips will lead out the 2007-08 Steelers team for the first time at iceSheffield tomorrow (7pm) for a player introduction night, this will be followed by a meet and greet in the Glacier Suit.

Only one player will be missing, defenceman Randy Degenais, who is attending his sister's wedding in north America.

Watch out for a second video interview with Talbot on thestar.co.uk/video next week.