Thomas back in the firing line for Steelers

MARK Thomas makes a return to the Sheffield Steelers’ line-up in time for a hectic schedule of three games in as many days.

The 29-year-old British defenceman – now in his eighth season with the South Yorkshire club – will jump back into the six-strong back line for tonight’s Challenge Cup tie at the Motorpoint Arena against Cardiff Devils (7.30pm).

Thomas has missed the last four games after picking up an upper-body injury in the 4-3 home defeat in the league to Coventry Blaze on September 30.

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Ryan Finnerty’s team follow-up Friday night’s encounter – only their second Group B game of the tournament – with a trip to Coventry in the league on Saturday night before returning to Sheffield to take on Hull Stingrays in the Challenge Cup on Sunday at Ice Sheffield (6pm).

“It will be good to have Thommo back,” said head coach Finnerty. “This is going to be the first three in three we’ve had this season so it’s going to get busy.

“We need to try and build on the good win we had last weekend against Belfast and produce some momentum.

“We’ll be taking it day by day and adjusting to things as each game comes along.

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“Things are a lot tighter this year, the league overall is stronger and Cardiff are going to come here determined to repeat what they did at the start of the season.

“We can’t afford to switch off at all. We have to establish our home presence and that starts against Cardiff.”

The only previous meeting in South Yorkshire between the two teams – who once shared the same owner – was on the opening weekend of the season when the Devils stunned the Steelers’ faithful by heading home to South Wales with a 4-2 win under their belts.

Two meetings in South Wales have produced opposite results. The Steelers gained swift revenge for their opening night loss with a 4-3 shoot-out win in Cardiff, while Cardiff edged out Finnerty’s team 2-1 two weeks ago.

Steelers’ only previous Challenge Cup game this season saw them win 6-3 at Hull at the end of last month.

Twitter: @PHarrisonYP