FORMER Nottingham Panthers' winger Ashley Tait faces a race against time to be fit to face his old side on Tuesday.

The Sheffield Steelers assistant player-coach – who had ten seasons with Panthers – suffered an ankle injury after crashing into the boards during their home defeat to Belfast Giants last weekend.

Although scans have shown the injury to be nothing more than bruising, the 36-year-old veteran will miss this weekend's double-header with Coventry Blaze.

It remains to be seen if GB forward Tait is available for the first of Steelers' two games against Panthers in five days.

But there is better news for Steelers and their talisman Rod Sarich, who suffered a worrying kidney injury against Panthers back in November.

There were fears his career would be over after having 15 per cent of his kidney removed but he says he hopes to be ready for selection nearer the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Braehead Clan have not been slow to recognise the importance of having a good pool of Brits in their line-up.

They have confirmed the re-signing of Adam Walker and Matt Haywood for a third successive season.

Despite their position in the bottom half of the table, Braehead have three players in the top 12 scorers – the KGB line of Jordan Krestanovich, Jade Galbraith and Mike Bayrack.

Ex-Panther Galbraith leads the league scoring with 23 goals and 53 assists.

Fixtures:

Tomorrow – Cardiff v Edinburgh; Dundee v Hull; Fife v Braehead; Panthers v Belfast (7pm); Sheffield v Coventry.

Tomorrow – Coventry v Sheffield; Edinburgh v Cardiff; Hull v Dundee; Panthers v Belfast (4pm).