SWINDON Wildcats netminder Stevie Lyle could be in line for a sensational return to the Great Britain side after being selected for the provisional squad for next month’s World Championships.

Lyle, who will replace Ryan Aldridge as Cats head coach for next season, has been named in GB boss Pete Russell’s provisional 31-man squad for the tournament in Eindhoven, as well as two warm-up fixtures against Poland.

However, 35-year-old Lyle is not getting carried away by his selection, which is predominantly as injury cover for first-choice netminder Stephen Murphy.

Lyle retired from international hockey after making the last of his 38 GB appearances in 2013.

He will only add to that haul should Murphy not be fit enough to make it into the final 23-man squad for the World Championships when it is announced in approximately two weeks’ time.

Lyle said: “To be honest I’ve been retired from the GB squad for a couple of years. I took a step away from that as there’s a couple of younger guys who should be playing.

“I’m just covering an injury for Stephen Murphy. If he is not back then I will go out there, even if it means I only play one game.

“Pete is going to take three goalies and if Stephen ends up being fit then I won’t be going.

“It’s hard to say how likely that’ll be at the moment and we’re just taking it week by week. I think Stephen has only just started skating again as he’s been out for most of the season.

“It’s a shame I can’t get too excited about it but it’s kind of a favour, and I did the same two years ago when I played a couple of games in Latvia because of an injury.

“But it’s still good to get that recognition and to be 35 and still get talked about with those younger guys is nice.”