Oxford City Stars’ Cameron Birrell faces at least four weeks on the sidelines after suffering a badly sprained ankle.
The South African picked up the injury in last Sunday’s 4-2 defeat by unbeaten Romford Raiders at Oxford Ice Rink.
Coach Ken Forshee said: “It is a huge blow for us.”
Birrell heads a growing injury list as Stars prepare for the first of two consecutive home South Division 1 double-headers this weekend.
Also missing from tonight’s clash with bottom club Bracknell Hornets (5pm) and tomorrow’s encounter with Invicta Dynamos (6.15pm) is Wayne Fiddes, who damaged a knee in the 5-3 defeat at Bristol Pitbulls last Saturday on his comeback from a shoulder injury.
Dax Hedges is still out with a back injury, while Josh Florey is missing with concussion aft-er falling off a ladder at work.
Netminder Chris Douglas faces a late fitness check on his knee injury, while Forshee is set to ice himself.
The coach added: “Our goal is to get eight points from the next couple of weeks.”
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