SWINDON Wildcats chief Ryan Aldridge wants to see his players fired up and ready to fight for every inch when the first competitive puck of the new season hits the ice this weekend.

Cats have the chance to get their teeth into the Chelmsford Chieftains tomorrow as the National League outfit visit the Link Centre in the opening round of the Challenge Cup.

Aldridge’s men suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Premier League rivals Bracknell Bees in a challenge double-header last weekend and the Swindon coach felt that his players were rarely on top in their own individual battles.

But Aldridge, who takes his team to last season’s table-toppers Manchester Phoenix for a league clash on Sunday, isn’t overly concerned and doesn’t think it will take long for Cats to find their fight.

“In the two games against Bracknell, they wanted it more than us – simple as that,” said the Swindon boss.

“We didn’t have it in us to battle and fight, especially in key areas. We lost our individual battles and that was a bit concerning. But there’s no need to panic because it’s early days and that will come because we’ve not had a great deal of time on the ice.

“We’ve got an interesting opening weekend. We’re going to be without two imports for the cup game on Saturday and that’s a big part of the team that’s going to be missing.

“But we’re going to have two guys that will be fresh going in to Sunday’s game, so there’s that side of it too.

“Sunday’s going to be a tough one and we’ve never fared well in that building (the Altrincham Ice Dome) but we shouldn’t be worried about going there.”

Teenage forward Floyd Taylor is still sidelined as he suffers with the effects of a concussion picked up in the 6-1 pre-season clash win over MK Lightning.

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