SWEDISH forward Jonas Hoog is set to make a shock return to the Swindon Wildcats for the second season running.

Last year, the 29-year-old came back into the fold at the end of October as the fifth import signing ahead of the Wildcats’ trip to the Wightlink Raiders, having failed to settle at Swedish side Haninge Anchors.

This term, the Swede has made his return eight days earlier and comes in at the expense of Finnish centre Sami Ryhanen.

Swindon’s player/coach Stevie Lyle made the decision in the summer not to bring Hoog back to the side in favour of freshening up his import options but said the club couldn’t refuse the opportunity to bring him back.

“He is a proven player in the league and as much as Sami did well, he was Jonas’ replacement and that hasn’t really worked out,” Lyle told the Adver.

“Jonas always did want to come back to Swindon and it was my choice not to bring him back in the summer.

“Whether that is right or wrong - we will see come the end of the season.

“I regret not signing him back but it may make him hungrier now coming back in.

“He works very well with Aaron (Nell) and that has always been the case and they have always put lots of points up together.”

The decision to replace Ryhanen, who has been given his 60 days' notice, seems to be a harsh one, with him settling into the side well and scoring 22 points in his opening 13 games of the season.

However, the Finn had only netted three times and Lyle hopes that Hoog, with his partnership with Nell, will yield a greater return.

“It is nothing against Sami at all,” added the Wildcats head coach.

“If there is a better player that you kind of left behind, then you have to go back and see if we can carry on with that relationship.

“Sami is a great professional and I really want to thank him for what he has done at the club.

“I think he has got 22 points in 13 games, which we appreciate, but he is just not part of the vision going forward.”

In a statement released this morning by the club they clarified Sami Ryhanen's position and the Finn could still be avaiable for Saturday's match with Guildford Flames.

"Sami has been given his 60 days’ notice as per his contract but has not been released," read the statement.

"Sami will continue to be part of the team until the end of the 60 days’ notice or he joins a new team."