Manchester Phoenix could be without two key players for the second weekend of the English Premier League, leaving owner Neil Morris fearful of a painful bump down to earth.
The side face tough opposition as they come up against last season’s second and third placed Guildford Flames and Basingstoke Bison.
The side travel to Basingstoke on Saturday, where the Phoenix failed to pick up a single point last season, before Tony Hand’s side return to their home at Deeside on Sunday on the back of a fine opening weekend with two wins from two.
Phoenix owner Neil Morris said: “There’s some trepidation going into this weekend. We took some pretty big knocks on Saturday and Sunday.
“There are a couple of players, a forward and a defender, who we’re unsure about and we won’t know if they’ll play until Saturday morning.
“The backroom staff have worked tirelessly with the boys all week, it’s the effort that they put into every player that makes us the team we are.”
Phoenix got their season well underway as one of only two sides to emerge from the opening weekend with all four points but potential absences present problems for the side this weekend.
Morris told MM that Phoenix aren’t letting the injuries affect their mentality: “We’re playing two top sides this weekend. The Guildford side are always strong, they’ve won championships and line offs in the past so going up against them is always tough.
“We’re still positive going into the weekend. We played some great hockey last weekend and we should be up there this season.”
Image courtesy of Manchester Phoenix Official via YouTube, with thanks.