COREY Neilson's preparations for tomorrow's Elite League opener have been disrupted, with three key players missing from training this week.

But Nottingham Panthers' coach has full confidence in his line-up for the potentially explosive first game with Belfast Giants at the National Ice Centre (7pm).

He has been without injured pair Marc Levers and Jay Henderson, while last signing Guillaume Lepine only flew into the country yesterday.

There are hopes that the big defenceman will be able to take part in at least one training session but doubts still surround the other two.

But Neilson said: "It's not an ideal way to start, but I have every confidence in my guys to do the job.

"We have been without three key players this week but you can see in training that there is some chemistry with the lines already.

"Of course, we are counting heavily on experienced players like Jay and Marc in big situations.

"Gary (Moran, the general manager) has worked hard to get Lepine into the country on time.

"But kids like Rob Lachowicz, Tom Norton and Josh Ward may get a chance.

"It's great that we have that strength in depth, but the fact is, they are still kids and cannot be rushed in their development before they are ready."

Already it seems a match-up between Panthers' potential against Belfast's pedigree.

The Giants have perhaps the strongest squad assembled by any team in the eight seasons of the Elite League's existence.

All but two of their imports have had experience in the American Hockey League – one rung below the NHL – some of them only last season.

But they have a major tie-up with the Belfast University, allowing players to take degree courses, and also a new and lucrative sponsorship with Irish airline AerLingus.

"They seem to have spent a lot of money and Doug Christiansen has done a good job recruiting players with pedigree," said Neilson.

"Having a British goalie (Stephen Murphy) means they also have that extra skater.

"From his time coaching Edinburgh, we know Christiansen's systems and we are familiar with some of his players.

"Their defence looks strong but in Jon Zion we still have someone who can be defenceman of the year – he is that good.

"He is a very dominant, quality guy and we are glad to have him here."

One man making a return to Panthers after an absence of 16 years is bench coach Davey Graham.

The former goaltender, who helped Panthers win the Play-off final at Wembley in 1989, was also bench coach with the Manchester Phoenix when they were in the Elite League.

He said: "It's been a long, long time, but it's great to be back with the team.

"There is a good spirit in the room and good depth of youth and experience, which is what I like.

"Corey has got together a younger team and I think that brings more hunger to the side, with players wanting to prove themselves.

"With me being here, Corey can concentrate more on playing, with that extra set of eyes on the bench."

On Sunday, Panthers travel to Coventry to take on the league champions Blaze at the Skydome (6pm).

Paul Thompson's side should realistically be further advanced than any other team, having a full pre-season programme of exhibition games.

They lost 4-2 at home to Belfast in the Charity Shield and followed up by beating Tilburg Trappers 6-2, after being held 2-2.

Back-to-back games against Cardiff saw Blaze win the opener, 4-2 in South Wales before going down 3-2 to the Devils at the Skydome.

THE Elite League boasts ten teams this season.

Braehead Clan – fronted by Panthers chairman Neil Black and coached by ex-Panther Bruce Richardson – and Dundee Stars are the new teams. Each team will play each other three times home and three away.

This weekend's fixtures:

Saturday: Panthers v Belfast (7pm); Sheffield v Cardiff.

Sunday: Cardiff v Belfast; Coventry v Panthers (6pm); Dundee v Sheffield.