ICE hockey coach Graham Lomax has issued a warning shot at his own team ahead of Blackburn Hawks' special challenge game at the Arena tomorrow night.

The assistant manager has told Hawks that his select side, made up of past and present Blackburn under 18s, are not there just to make up the numbers in the fixture organised in memory of Eileen Ruxton, who died recently in a road accident and whose son Greg plays for the club.

Lomax, who usually sits in the Hawks camp, finds himself in the strange role of opponent, but insists that his 'new' team - English Ice Hockey Association Team Eileen Ruxton Select - are out to win.

He said: "I have picked a squad that I feel is capable of winning the game. I know all the lads personally and I have certainly not just selected them to make up numbers."

All of the players have played ice hockey for Blackburn, but the assistant manager knows some from even further back.

He added: "I first met a few of these lads from my time at West Coast Wasps roller hockey team," said Lomax. "My team, the under 14s at the time, won the European Championship. I have known some of them from a young age and they all knew Eileen personally, which is a nice touch."

There will be an under 12s demonstration on the ice as well as a bucket collection for designated charity, Derian House Children's Hospice.

"It should be a great occasion," said Lomax. "We have got new kits and a name for our team and we hope we can win the game. We see the evening as a celebration of Eileen."