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Phoenix seek miracle cures

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Having gained a point from Tuesday night's outstanding performance in Nottingham, the Manchester Phoenix are seeking miracle cures for their decimated locker room.

A bout of 'flu struck down forward Shin Larsson-Yahata and defenceman Eric Lind ahead of the Panthers clash with neither making the trip to the East Midlands, and with others also showing symptoms of the dreaded winter ailment, head coach Rick Brebant is hoping fluid, rest and vitamin C will do the trick.

"I've told all the players they need to keep up their fluid intake, rest and take plenty of vitamin C to fight the 'flu," he advised. "If we get a break, both Shinny and Eric could be back for the weekend, though their stamina reserves might be a bit low. A couple of the guys who played last night are also suffering and I'm hoping they'll be okay."

With Brian Worrall unavailable for at least two more weeks with a wrist injury, Brebant is desperate to have Slovakian sniper Miroslav Skovira ready, after his knee strain, for the weekend games against Sheffield and Basingstoke. "Miro is getting closer to a return with every day," added Brebant, "and I'll be disappointed if he's not ready for Saturday. More of a concern right now is the knock Sebby (Jeff Sebastian) suffered last night. He had to ice it throughout the third period and on the bus home, and he'll be receiving physio treatment for the rest of the week in an effort to have him available."

Brebant himself has only just recovered from a knee injury and said of his own condition, "I haven't skated in over three weeks, so I was quite pleased with the way things went tonight. With the sickness and knocks we've got, if I have to play I will do - I did intend retiring but I'll do whatever it takes for the team and the organisation."