STEVIE Lyle believes that developing his young guns could be the key to a successful season for the Swindon Wildcats.

Lyle had eight players aged 20 and under in his roster for the first game of the pre-season against Manchester Phoenix last Saturday.

Although at times the visitors looked to impose themselves physically on their younger opponents, Lyle was more than happy with how his young recruits acquitted themselves.

Swindon travel to league new boys Hull Pirates this evening and Lyle will be looking to get his first win of the pre-season under his belt.

“I have seen a lot of great things out there from the younger guys,” said Lyle.

“The older guys are getting used to it as well. There are one or two guys who haven’t played over here before and they are adapting to the game and how they are going to play.

“The young guys held their own and there is not one that I could pick out who didn’t impress me.

“All these new guys that have come in, I knew what they could do but they have proven it.

“If I can keep developing them (the young players); that could be key.

“The imports know what to do because they have been around.

“The young guys have really done well and they have stood up for themselves, which is what you want.”

One player who caught many an eye at the Link Centre on debut was dual national Corey McEwen, who got a goal and an assist to his name.

Lyle is excited by the player he recruited from Canada and hopes that he could be a star of the future.

“He is a great skating kid and just loves being out there and I have been more than happy with him,” added Lyle.

“I spoke to a lot of people before signing Corey and did a lot of homework, just to make sure that, if I am bringing a kid from Canada, he is going to be what I am told.”