WILDCATS player-coach Ryan Aldridge has urged his side to start scoring the “ugly goals” they are missing out on.

With Telford the visitors to the Link Centre tonight (face-off 7.30pm), Aldridge wants his trigger-happy troops to start converting their multiple chances, particularly right in front of the net.

Swindon’s shooting stats have been impressive of late, despite successive defeats to Basingstoke, Peterborough and Slough twice, and Aldridge sees room for improvement in his team’s close-range efforts.

“We’re out-shooting teams but we’re just not getting those ugly goals, we’re not getting those rebounds other teams get on us,” he said. “We’re never battling in front of the net like other teams always battle in front of ours, so I think we’ve just got to be more hungry and prepared to score the ugly goals.”

He added: “The frustrating thing is we’re out-shooting teams and that’s not saying our goalies have been particularly bad.

“I think Hads (James Hadfield, netminder) has still been playing well, I think he should have been hung out to dry at times out the back there.

“We’re making way too many stupid mistakes, even Sunday night (against Slough) the first three goals were just our mistakes that cost us goals.”

Aldridge is contending with multiple injury problems tonight, with forward Sam Bullas likely to be out for the season with a broken ankle, while James Knight (virus) and Loris Taylor (knee) will probably not figure.

“We’re definitely in a tough spot, we’re tired, and obviously the more tired you are the more injuries you pick up, so it’s pretty frustrating,” said the player-coach.

“We play two games a weekend and it’s tough on the body anyway, and last weekend we played three in four nights, so it’s just a very tough time for us right now.”

On a more positive note, Aldridge is hopeful defenceman Nick Compton will return from a knee injury this evening.

l SWINDON will host a media charity challenge in the period breaks against Telford.

Three teams including a pairing from the Swindon Advertiser will tackle a penalty competition and an ice assault course.

Entry to the game is free for those aged 15 and under. For paying customers, tickets can be purchased from the Link Centre reception, from the box office on 01793 886857 or online at www.swindonwildcats.com.