STEVIE Lyle has admitted that it was a no brainer to re-sign Swindon Wildcats captain Jan Kostal.

The Czech forward is the latest player to be revealed for the Wildcats side next season and he will remain as skipper after signing a deal which will keep him at the Link Centre for the next two years.

The 35-year-old has become a firm fan favourite in his one-and-a-half seasons he has spent in Swindon.

Kostal, who is spending the off-season back in the Czech Republic, has become the second import signing of the summer along with Tomasz Malasinski and is expected to return to Swindon with his family in tow.

Lyle revealed that Kostal and Malsinski were two imports he was desperate to get back and had no worries about handing the Czech player a two year contract.

“Jan is the hardest working guy in the league and again it was a very easy decision to get him back,” he told the Advertiser.

“He is a good leader on and off the ice and is very committed and a true professional. Since he has been in Swindon he has always brought 100 per cent to every game.

“He is a lovely guy to speak to, which from a fans’ point of view as well is great.

“Jan is always smiling and if I could have 20 guys smiling it would be a lot easier.

“Someone like Jan I am not worried about him having a two year contract, he deserves it and I know he will be exactly the same player next year.

“I mean you think about his age and that but I have no problem with it.”

Although he has not been formally announced as captain for next season Lyle is confident he will retain the ‘C’ on his chest, as well as continuing his coaching duties.

“In my eyes he is the captain 100 per cent,” he added.

“He wouldn’t mind himself if he wasn’t captain but I think he deserves to wear the ‘C’ purely on the basis that he brings it to every game.

“In the dressing room he will say one or two things but he leads by example and the problem is you don’t want too many guys talking in the room because it kind of gets old.

“Jan is an experienced guy so he knows when to talk and when just to leave things.

“Whether he does the coaching next year still I don’t know, but I think he will because he is that type of guy.”

Meanwhile, former Swindon and current Great Britain head coach Pete Russell looks set to get the Milton Keynes Lightning top job.

Coventry Blaze's James Pease tweeted about James Griffin's link up with the Lightning last night where he said that the youngster would be under the guidance of Russell.

Milton Keynes have been searching for a new coach since Nick Poole left earlier this month.