WITH a near full strength squad to choose from, Blackburn Hawks go into their Premiership play-offs full of confidence.

A recent poor run of just one win in their last nine games is behind them and manager Mike Cockayne is looking to guide the Hawks into the top flight.

Influential player/coach Ryan Kummu is back from a business trip to his native Canada and Malcolm Bell and Jimmy Pennycook are set to return from injury. Only Lee Cowmeadow is doubtful.

"Our players will be really fired up for these play-offs," Cockayne said.

"We have been through a poor run recently but have achieved what we set out to do and are confident we can go all the way."

Cockayne denied that the play-offs would be meaningless with talks that a Super League was going to be set up to replace the Premier League, attracting only the big money teams.

"Those are just rumours at this stage," insists Cockayne. "As far as we are concerned, we are going into the play-offs with the belief that a Premiership place is up for grabs."

The play-offs are made up of two groups of four on a home and away basis. The winner of each group clinches promotion.

On Saturday, March 9, the Hawks entertain First Division rivals Bracknell Bees before travelling to 'unknown' Premier outfit Milton Keynes a day later.

"We know all about the Bees but, apart from former Hawks player Ricky Plant, we don't know much about Milton Keynes. So we'll be doing our homework before Sunday," Cockayne concluded.

Hawks play off fixtures: Sat March 9 v Bracknell Bees(h); Sun 10 v Milton Keynes(a); Sat16 v Milton Keynes(h); Sun17 v Guildford Flames(a); Sat 23 v Bracknell Bees; Sun 24 Guildford Flames (h).

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