BLACKBURN Hawks are back in league action this Sunday when Sunderland Chiefs provide the opposition at the Arena.

After a disappointing run of three cup and league defeats over the holiday period, the Hawks have a great opportunity to get back on track and sustain their play-offs push.

The Chiefs have won only twice this season and are currently joint bottom of the English National Hockey League (North) with Grimsby and Bradford. They did, however, push high-flying Flintshire close in a 13-11 defeat and Hawks' player-coach Bobby Haig knows they cannot afford to be complacent.

"They will be a tough challenge, but it's a game we need to win," he explained.

"Our nearest rivals, Whitley Bay, used up their game in hand when they lost to Kingston, so we have a chance to open a gap. We beat Sunderland in a challenge match here in November so, if we play to our strengths I'm confident of getting a result."

The match against Sunderland Chiefs faces-off at 6 pm on Sunday January 11.

The Arena doors open for spectators at 5.15 pm.