FORWARD Aaron Nell has insisted Swindon Wildcats still have their minds on the regular season despite having all-but booking their date with Manchester Phoenix in the English Premier League play-offs.

Wildcats host Telford Tigers at the Link Centre tomorrow night (face-off 5.45pm) before travelling to Bracknell Bees on Sunday for their final regular season game, but are almost certain to finish seventh and set up a quarter-final clash with second placed Phoenix.

Despite having already secured their place in the post season, Nell believes there is still a lot to play for, and he and his team mates will be looking to avenge last weekend’s defeats against Peterborough Panthers and potential play-off opponents Phoenix.

“These two games are big ones for us, because we really need to build some momentum for the play-offs and also get over the defeats we had last week,” he said.

“Playing three games back-to-back like we did the previous week is tough on anyone, and I think some of the players started to feel it, especially on the Sunday against Peterborough.

“That is an excuse though and we didn’t play well, but we can take some heart from the fact we were nowhere near our best and still only lost by the odd-goal on both nights.

“We need to put that right now, and we do not want to be going into the play-offs on the back of a defeat.

Nell and his team mates are trying to avoid casting their minds ahead to the prospect of facing the Phoenix, but believes they are well-prepared to take on the second best side in the division.

“Manchester are a good side, we know that, but we can not afford to think ahead to them too much because that is for the future.

“We have a plan for them I am sure, and it helps that we have played them a few times recently because we know how they play.”

Cats’ first task is to dispose of bottom side Tigers and the play-off chasing Bees, and Nell is expecting two very different games of hockey.

“Telford work very hard for each other and have a good team spirit which is very important to them,” he said. “ They may not be the most skilled team in the world, but they do not give in and have had some close games this year.

“They will be wanting to have a good end to the season and we will need to be wary of that.

“Bracknell will be completely different and they will be fighting for their lives to make the play-offs, and there is no doubt they will give everything.

“They have a few good players who, when they want to, can be a real danger to anyone, and they will see us as a team they are capable of beating.”