INJURY doubts over key men hamper Blackburn Hawks ahead of their final home Northern Premier League match of the ice hockey season tomorrow night.

Defenceman Bobby Haig and Neil Abel have both been struggling with respective foot and groin injuries - while player-coach Jimmy Pennycook again seems certain to be sidelined.

Hawks are looking to go out with a bang against struggling Castlereagh Knights (face off 6pm) knowing that victory would almost guarantee fourth place in the table ahead of the end-of-season playoffs.

A format for the knock-out contest has still to be finalised, but Hawks manager Mike Cockayne said: "We have had meetings involving clubs from both the north and the south and we should have a format agreed by early next week.

"It's a big game for us tomorrow and we will be looking to continue where we left off against Fife last weekend here. Although we lost the fixture it was probably our best display of the season and we showed against easily the best team in the league that we aren't far away from being a strong outfit ourselves.

"I am reasonably confident that both Bobby and Neil will be okay, but it doesn't look too good for Jimmy who has been finding it difficult to shake off his ankle injury.

"We slipped up against the Castlereagh Knights last month and we will be on our guard. If we play to our potential we should be more than capable of getting the result we want."

Castleregh have won only six times this season while Hawks have triumphed 13 times from their 34 games played to date. Fife, 12 points clear, were crowned champions several weeks ago.

After tomorrow Hawks have just one NPL fixture remaining - away at Murrayfield next Sunday, February 16.

Tonight Hawks take part in a specially arranged two stage challenge with local rivals Altrincham. The Aces have home advantage tonight with the second leg due at the Arena next Saturday.

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