SWINDON Wildcats have moved to bring in long-term target Robin Kovar to aid their injury-hit side for the remainder of the season.

With the deadline for adding players to their roster approaching at the end of this month, player-coach Aaron Nell has moved swiftly to bring in the Czech Republic centre after D-man Mark Smith was ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a neck injury last weekend.

The 32-year-old joins from financially-stricken Manchester Phoenix after being released by the side sitting bottom of the table last week.

Nell is hoping that Kovar, who was a round four draft pick for NHL side Edmonton Oilers in 2002 but failed to make an appearance, will add the creative dimension his side have been craving of late.

“When I found out about Mark on Friday night, I wanted to make sure I started looking and Robin’s name came available,” said Nell, who looked at bringing Kovar to the Link Centre last summer.

“It has been two tough years for Robin at Manchester and there has been a lot of drama going on.

“I hope it will be an enjoyable end to the season for him and a fresh start.

“He is going to help our power play and I think in the last four or five weeks, we have been doing well but we have been lacking a bit of creativity.

“He is very skilled and plays at speed and sees the ice well.

“Come play-off time, he comes good and I am looking forward to coaching him and not coaching against him.”

Kovar’s arrival will see fellow Czech national and club captain Jan Kostal move to the defensive line as Nell looks to shake things up.

However, it has come as a cost as Swindon have had four players ruled out for the season through injury, including Nell.

“Everything comes at a price and injuries have cost us quite a lot of money this year but that is part of hockey,” he added.

“We’ve had four so far this year and it is just a constant barrage.

“We have got to get through it and we have got to find positives out of all situations.

“It does give us flexibility and when we get players back from injury, maybe Jan can go up top front.”