BLACKBURN Hawks are boldly going where they have never been before tomorrow's into an ice hockey game with Birmingham Rockets (6pm).

The Rockets, who are a brand new team in the League and a completely unknown quantity, pitch up at the Arena for an English Premier Cup tie.

"They haven't even sent a squad list up, so we don't know who they have signed, or whether they are any good or not," explained Hawks manager Keith Greenhalgh.

"Let's say we are going into this one both apprehensive and speculative."

The Hawks got their League programme off to a good start last weekend, beating Sunderland 7-6 in a tight game at the Arena.

The big worry, however, for the cup-tie is the fitness of player-coach Bobby Haig.

The canny Scot has been struggling with a virus and missed Thursday's important training session. He will have a late fitness test but he is hopeful of playing.

"Since we lost Craig Sharman and Danny Mackriel, Bobby has become even more important as a playmaker," said Greenhalgh. "I am confident he will be there."