STEVIE Lyle is preparing himself for more time on the sidelines this campaign as he looks to balance his new role as a player-coach.

Ahead of the first warm-up game for the upcoming season Lyle has said that while winning trophies is his top priority he is also keen to develop reserve stopper Jordan Hedley into a number one goalie.

Lyle will start the first three warm-up games with Manchester Phoenix and Hull Pirates on the bench to give him a better chance to run the rule over his squad.

The former Great Britain goalie says he is likely to play around 85 per cent of games this season and is more than confident that the Great Britain under20 goalie is good enough to replace him.

“Jordan Headley is going to play and I am going to go behind the bench to get a feel of when guys come off the ice,” said Lyle.

“That will give me a chance to see how they react and where they are at with their fitness.

“It is going to be great for Jordan to get himself going as well because I think he is a goalie of the future.

“Jordan has always looked up to me and has got a lot of respect so he will understand if it is a big pressure game I will be playing myself.

“I will give him as much time as I can because he has played games and he is a good upgrade for the team.”

The Wildcats kick off pre-season at the Link Centre tonight (5.45pm) against the Phoenix before travelling to north Wales for the return match tomorrow night.

Swindon then have a trip to Hull Pirates on Wednesday before back-to-back fixtures with Bracknell Bees next weekend.

Lyle says being the coach will take some getting used to but believes he will know more about his side following that run of games.

“The first couple of games is about finding out guys’ roles,” added Lyle.

“Where these guys are going to play and figuring out how they are going to play.

“This time next week I will know a lot more regarding the team.

“Everything is going to be new in the next couple of days and as long as I am prepared and we get the team prepared then we will be fine.

“It is ok thinking on paper that these are the lines, but until the ice hockey is played you never know.”