LEE Richardson expects a tough test as Swindon Wildcats come up against two of the top four in the English Premier League this weekend.

First up for Swindon is the visit of Hull Pirates tomorrow night, the reverse fixture in the middle of December seeing the Wildcats claim a 3-2 victory despite a nasty injury to teenager Ollie Stone.

A trip to league leaders Telford Tigers then awaits Richardson and his teammates on Sunday evening.

The D-man, whose testimonial match has been confirmed for May 6, believes the last result against the Pirates counts for little ahead of this weekend’s match-up.

“We say the same thing every weekend, every game is tough in this league. I mean (at) Hull we obviously went up there and beat them in their own place,” said the 34-year-old.

“For us that was a massive result bearing in mind the fixtures we had around that time.

“The league has definitely shown that at any given day you can beat anyone. We’ve just got to go into it and try play like we can do we always have a chance. It is just making sure we do that.’’ He added: “Telford are another tough team, even though they have lost a couple of guys, they are still high quality.”

The utility man praised his teammates for the progress they have made in the last few games after an increase in performance levels.

Last weekend the Wildcats were able to register a win over the Guildford Flames, before needing penalty shots to defeat the Bracknell Bees on their travels.

Richardson thinks the current side may have found the winning formula ahead the weekend.

“I think the way we played over the last four or five games has been really positive and if we do play like we have been we do have a chance of winning the game,” he added.

“We’ve been working more for each other, if Max Birbraer is bringing that physicality and we are all bringing it, we are on the front foot rather than the back foot.

“I think that’s been a big key for us, the tempo we have been playing at and the controlled aggression which has given us more energy.

“Sometimes you have to find your way of winning games and I think we have found that, for me this is probably the strongest team we have had for a while.

“When you can bring in a guy like Phil Hill who has been around he brings that physical size, I think that’s the biggest thing we’ve never had. We are more of a tough team, we finish our hits and play hard in the corners and that’s what makes this a strong group.”