AARON Nell says his new Swindon Wildcats squad have eight days to prove themselves ahead of the coming English Premier League season.

The Cats play four pre-season challenge matches in that time, starting at home to Basingstoke Bison this evening, before the first competitive fixture takes place on Saturday, September 10 when Guildford Flames visit the Link Centre.

There is no chance of the Cats easing themselves into their preparations for the new campaign as Basingstoke finished top of the EPL table last term.

Although it is only performance and not results that count at this stage, Nell reckons a tough start will help him see the mettle of his newly-assembled roster.

“It’s going to a good opportunity to get some match fitness and to start doing the things that we want to do come the first game against Guildford,” said Nell.

“The reality is, especially with Ben Davies coming in; Ben is going to go to the top of the pecking order so to get on the top three lines for the first game of the season is going to be a little bit tougher.

“It’s a good opportunity for the young players to get a chance to find their feet and it’s sink or swim a little bit.

“There’s not as much pressure, it’s a good test and we’re excited. It’s nice that they are one of the top teams so it’s going to be a good test and we are looking forward to it.”

The Cats’ challenge matches also include home and away fixtures against Bracknell Bees over the weekend, as well as a return match at Basingstoke next Wednesday.

Nell hopes to see plenty of positive play from his troops as he looks to settle on his lines for the new campaign.

“It will be a good opportunity for us to try different things and we will try different lines but the most important thing is to make sure we stay injury free and work on our match fitness,” said Nell.

“Every year you can say I want this line, this line and this line but they all change. It’s about having different players playing with different people and just being ready for that first game against Guildford.”

Polish import Tomasz Malasinski will miss the first three challenge matches but he will be available for the start of the competitive season.