SWINDON Wildcats head coach Ryan Aldridge has admitted that Kenton Smith will have to be patient when it comes to time on the ice.

The Canadian D-man has been the victim of Swindon’s current good run, with Aldridge opting for a more attacking line-up which saw them go on a ten game winning run.

Only four of the Wildcats’ five imports allowed to play each match Smith, who had been linked with a move away from the Link Centre earlier in the season, has been left on the sidelines. But Aldridge admits he has been a true professional about the whole situation.

“Kenton has been outstanding through the whole thing,” said Aldridge.

“He is desperate to play but he knows that we are playing well right now in the style that we are playing, so it is tough for him.

“I can’t say enough good things about him and he has been awesome through it all and supported everybody, myself included, in every way.

“It depends on the way we play but it just happens that the way we are playing at the moment is working with the four forwards.”

Before Swindon’s hot streak, Aldridge had hinted that he was looking for another British player to bring to the Link Centre to add more depth to his squad and he has still not ruled that out with the extra cup games the Cats now have.

“I think if the right person came up we would definitely have a look at it,” he added.

“That is not taking anything away from the boys in our team, that is just to add depth to our line-up.

“Our boys are playing great at the moment and I can’t take anything away from them, but if the right guy came up and it would add to our line-up, then we would have to look at it.”