Audio: Forward thinking fuels Sarich's belief

The 28-year-old defenceman won't play again this season after breaking the fifth metatarsal in his foot.

Despite playing through the pain barrier for a short while, the defenceman had to undergo surgery in January but it has not left him enough time to recover to play any further part in Steelers' season.

After meekly conceding their league title, Steelers are now looking to the play-offs to rescue what has, at times, been a depressing campaign and a win at the National Ice Centre on Sunday, April 4 would see SDav Matsos's side clinch the play-off crown for the third year running.

To listen to Rod Sarich talk about his injury problems and his decision to return for a sixth season click the green PLAY button.

For Sarich, now confined to the sidelines, next season can't come quick enough, particularly now he knows he will be joined again by former defensive colleague Steve Munn who, it was announced earlier this week, is returning for a second spell in South Yorkshire after a season in Japan.

But Sarich is fuelled by a desire to help Steelers return to the championship-winning form they have showed during the previous two seasons - whether it be from the 'D' or in a more forward role, the kind which he got chance to enjoy sporadically in the early part of the 2009-10 season.

"It's funny how success or the lack of success works," said Sarich.

"If you have a great season like we did last year and win trophies, you don't want to leave that situation, especially if there are a lot of players sticking around - you feel like you can do it all again.

"And we want to prove we can do it again. So when a season like this one comes along where we haven't had as much success, at least in the league, and we haven't done what we set out to do, that's the other side of the coin about coming back.

To listen to Rod Sarich talk about his injury problems and his decision to return for a sixth season click the green PLAY button.

"We want to show next season that last year wasn't just a one-off and that we do have the team and the guys in the locker room to get the job done."

And the chance to possibly return in the autumn occupying a forward role - as was tried at the start of this season - is another thing which excites Sarich.

"It's been difficult at times mentally with the injuries this season," he added.

"The plan was for me to play up front for the whole season, but it meant I was also there as a back-up for the D if necessary and that happened quite quickly.

"It was a bit different jumping from forward to defence from shift-to-shift or night-to-night but I thought I was doing alright.

"I enjoyed playing as a forward when it was possible and maybe I can do more of it when the new season gets underway."

This weekend will see Sarich watch his team-mates try to secure fifth place in the league and a two-legged encounter with Cardiff Devils in the first round of the play-offs next weekend.

Steelers face-off against Nottingham Panthers at Sheffield Arena on Saturday at 7pm, after the short of legendary defenceman Ron Shudra is retired.

The regular season finishes for Matsos's side at Hull Stingrays on Sunday (6pm). Wins in both matches will see Steelers pip Edinburgh Capitals to fifth spot. Doug Christiansen's side face-off on home ice to Coventry Blaze on Saturday before heading to Cardiff on Sunday.