SWINDON have drafted in Coventry netminder Tom Murdy for tonight’s English Premier League showdown with Guildford Flames, after both of their regular glovemen were ruled out.

Chris Douglas has been left with a head injury that could sideline him for several weeks, after he was involved in a car crash on his way to work, while James Hadfield will not be able to add to his recent run of games as he is suffering from illness.

That means an opportunity for Murdy at the Link Centre, with the 19-year-old providing the logical answer to what Wildcats’ head coach Ryan Aldridge hopes will be a short-term problem.

“He’s probably one of the best backups in the Elite League,” said Aldridge, who also called on the Great Britain Under 20 international last season.

“Coventry are close to us and they have got the night off on Saturday, so it made sense to use him.”

Stopper Douglas is currently recovering at home on medical advice and Aldridge says it will be some time before he is seen back on the ice.

“Dougie was pretty low after the accident and they have told him to rest up for two or three weeks,” said Aldridge.

“He is as safe and well as he can be, and that’s the main thing. We wish him all the best over the next few weeks and hope he will be back in the line up soon.”

Meanwhile, Douglas’ fellow netminder Hadfield is sidelined with a mystery illness that has yet been diagnosed.

“He is going to be out for a little while as well,” the head coach confirmed.

“He had what the doctors thought was tonsillitis but he’s had two doses of antibiotics and that hasn’t cleared it up.”

Aldridge had hoped to bring in an import to replace the departed Jozef Kohut in time for tomorrow’s EPL contest against Guildford, and looked set to secure a deal, only for his target to undergo a change of heart at a late stage.

Swindon have met the Flames on two occasions this season, losing both matches, and will be looking to redress that balance this evening. Wildcats have no game tomorrow.