BLACKBURN Hawks face the toughest of challenges tomorrow when they go head to head with league leaders Whitley Warriors.

After losing their last two league games on the trot, the Hawks are in great need of a win this weekend, but team coach Bobby Haig isn't confident at all.

"Whitley are an excellent team, and we never look forward to playing against them," he said. "Their ice rink is very small and they play a particularly tough game, so it's going to be very difficult.

"The Warriors look set to snatch the title this year, they are on 23 points, and although followed closely by Altrincham only two points behind, there is a ten point gap between them and third place Kingston.

"They are all exceptional players, especially Karl Culley and Andrew Carter, the leagues top scorers this season. In our last meeting we lost 2-6, but we'll just have to give it our best shot and wait and see - you never know!"

Wes Barnett's return from suspension means that the Hawks will almost have a full squad apart from the absence of netminder Colin Downie, who was suspended for a fracas with a Birmingham player last week. Twenty-year-old Robbie Smith will take his place.

Just a point behind Birmingham with two games in hand, a win could help Blackburn in their plight to move up the league table.

"A win would be great, but unfortunately we can't expect that much against Whitley, although there's always the chance," added Haig. "But if we can win our next league game against Sunderland, then it's still a possibility."