SWINDON Wildcats boss Ryan Aldridge hopes his side’s hot streak in front of goal will make up for his missing men this weekend.

The Cats have a threadbare squad for Saturday’s match at home to Manchester Phoenix and the trip to Peterborough Phantoms the next day following the call-ups of several young stars for Great Britain under 20s.

Callum Buglass, Ollie Betteridge, Tomas Rutkis and Floyd Taylor will all help GB kick off their World Championship campaign against the Netherlands tomorrow, while Swindon-based Okanagan Hockey Academy players Glen Billing, Michael Stratford and Luc Johnson are also with the under 20s squad for the competition in Estonia.

Swindon have been in flying form of late, netting 19 goals in a three-match winning run, including nine in the Challenge Cup success at Invicta Dynamos last time out.

And Alridge wants to use that to harbour a siege mentality at the Link Centre.

“What’s most pleasing for me is the way we’ve been scoring of late,” said Aldridge.

“A couple of weeks ago we weren’t making the most of our opportunities and although it wasn’t the strongest opposition last weekend, to find the net nine times in one game is a great effort and is a real confidence booster.

“It’s weekends like this when you’re short benched that pull everyone together as the guys know they need to step up to cover what we’re missing.

“We just have to take the right attitude into the weekend. We’ve got to play smart hockey and make sure our tactics are spot on. It’s about making sure we’ve got the right people on the ice at the right time.

“You won’t hear any complaints from the guys because they’re going to get more ice time, which is what they always want.”

Cats’ recent good form has seen them pull clear of the foot of the table, while victory over Manchester on Saturday would see them climb above the visitors into sixth.

They then have the daunting prospect of a trip to second-placed Peterborough but Aldridge is refusing to look too far ahead.

“We’ve got confidence after the last couple of weeks and Manchester haven’t had a great year, just like us. But they are a solid hockey team and with the way they play we can get caught out, so it’s important we’re on our game,” said Aldridge.

“Peterborough are a good side and have played some strong hockey this year. It is a tough place to go and play at the best of times but it’s a small rink and if we had to be short benched anywhere I’d probably want it to be there.

“We will just take each game as it comes. Obviously we’re home first and getting good results there is really important for us. We’ll just focus on Manchester for the time being and then think about Peterborough.”