HEAD coach Pete Russell has warned his Swindon Wildcats they are "not home and dry" in their bid to reach the EPL play-offs and is targeting at least four more victories to secure a top-eight finish.

Cats have clawed their way into seventh place after taking seven points from their last four fixtures, but some positive results for their play-off rivals has set up an exciting end to the campaign.

Swindon host Milton Keynes Lightning tomorrow before a daunting trip to Sheffield to face the Scimitars on Sunday night, but Russell is in positive mood.

He said: "If we could pick up four points we would be in dream land, but the main thing is to try and play to our strengths.

"The players have done this club proud since Christmas and it's been very good to see.

"We have turned over some top teams and with a fully fit roster I think we can start to build some momentum.

"Other teams have picked up points when we didn't expect them too, so we are not home and dry by any means.

"I don't like to set targets but I reckon four or five more wins and we will be in the play-off mix."

Cats almost caused a huge upset at Bracknell on Sunday night, but the Bees had a late sting in the tail and recovered from 4-2 down to win the game in overtime.

Swindon also went down 3-2 to Elite League side Cardiff Devils in an exhibition match on Wednesday night, although Russell says the game was a worthwhile exercise.

"It was only a show game but the lads worked up a sweat and it was good experience for them to play against an Elite League team," he said.

"The defeat at Bracknell was disappointing but if you had offered me three points at the start of last weekend I would have taken it.

"We know there is still work to do and we have to take each game as it comes now, period by period, and not look too far ahead.

"We want to be involved in the play-offs come the end of the season because I believe this team has a lot to offer."

Of the two weekend fixtures, Russell expects Sunday's visit to the iceSheffield complex to pose most problems, with Scmitars' first-choice netminder Pasi Raitanen back after a long injury lay-off.

"He's one of the top goalies in the league so we will have to make every attack count," warned Russell.

"It is a very tough place to go but hopefully we can perform well and take something from the game."