STEVIE Lyle admits that he may have an ulterior motive during his Great Britain swansong at next month’s World Championships.

The veteran Swindon Wildcats netminder, who will take over as head coach at the Link Centre at the end of the season, was included in Pete Russell’s final squad for GB’s Division I Group B campaign in Eindhoven, which gets under way with a clash against Croatia on April 13.

Lyle is one of three stoppers in Russell’s 23-strong team and following Belfast Giants goalie Stephen Murphy’s failure to recover from injury, the Welshman is expected to provide experienced back-up to Cardiff Devils man Ben Bowns.

But while he enjoys one last foray with the national side, the incoming Wildcats chief, who has 38 GB appearances under his belt, is also looking forward to having a chance to start his recruitment drive ahead of his maiden campaign in charge of Swindon.

“It gives me a chance to talk to some guys about getting them in next season,” said Lyle.

“The great thing is that because the season’s finished, they won’t be contracted with the clubs that they’re at now, so it’s a great opportunity for me.

“It (his selection) is literally a favour for Pete Russell. It’s on the basis that he needs someone who’s got experience of doing it before behind Ben Bowns.

“Thomas Murdy is a young guy that’s had a good season, with a good team in front of him (Telford Tigers), but it’s also a favour for me too.

“It’s great to be involved again. From speaking to Pete at Swindon, I had an idea that I’d be in there but it’s still nice to have the chance to get another cap.

“This will definitely be the last time for me but it’s great to go along to another World Championships.

“It’s great to see all of the guys that you spend all season battling with. There will be a lot more from when I was in the Elite League but it’s still going to be exciting and it would be great to come away with another medal.”

GB have two warm-up games before the tournament, which also sees them take on Estonia, South Korea, the hosts Netherlands and Lithuania.

Former Swindon D-man Paul Swindlehurst is also part of Russell’s squad, along with Swindon-born Mark Richardson, the brother of current Wildcat Lee.