SWINDON Wildcats head coach Stevie Lyle says he only has to find three players to complete his side for next year after announcing the return of Tomasz Malasinski on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old, who is currently on international duty with Great Britain at the World Championships in Holland, is delighted to have captured the Polish forward as he aims to have a ‘fresh faced’ Wildcats side for the start of the new season.

The Polish forward will add to Aaron Nell and Stevie Whitfield, with Lyle also revealing that Michael Stratford is also on board for next year.

“I think I have only got three to go right now and this is the last pieces of the puzzle,” Lyle told the Adver.

“I have just got to make sure they fit in to what system I am going to be looking to achieve next season.

“There were two imports I really wanted back and Tomasz was one of them.

“Luckily enough we were able to come to an agreement that both sides were happy with and he is a very exciting import.

“He works hard every night at both ends of the ice, which is something I want all my players to do.

“If I didn’t sign him back as soon as I did, I think I got lucky, then a lot of teams would have been after Tomasz because he stood out as one of the top imports in our league last season.

“He wants to win every game and if I can have 20 of him next year then it will make my job a lot easier.”

Wildcats fans can expect more announcements coming out of the Link Centre in the next few weeks with Lyle working hard behind the scenes to get in the players he thinks can compete for trophies next season.

It is a role that is foreign to Lyle, having only worried about signing his own contract in summers past, but one he is relishing.

“It is good fun,” he added.

“It is always good to have a good base and then you can have a couple of guys from the Swindon area that you expect to be back.

“The last couple of signings won’t be from around that area.

“I am still in conversation with a lot of players because there are other teams chasing them as well and I am just trying to get them our way.

“I want a fresher faced Wildcats next year.

“I’m just trying to find out everything that is going on with every player and where they are at.

“As a player you just sign a contract and then do what you need to do in the summer to get yourself ready for the forthcoming season.

“Obviously now I have to find out what is going on with other teams to make sure the team I put together is up with them or better.”