Invicta Dynamos coach Kevin Parrish received a double blow on Wednesday as he prepared for Saturday's big clash with Cardiff Devils.

First, Parrish’s slim hopes that striker Nolan Boike (pictured), would be fit to return for the trip to Wales after missing the last three games were dashed when fresh tests revealed his hamstring injury was worse than first thought.

Parrish said: "It doesn’t look good for Nolan and it’s going to be touch and go whether he is able to play again this season."

But the news was even worse for young defenceman Ryan Giles, who broke a thigh bone in a car accident on Wednesday.

Parrish said: "Ryan is a good young player and it’s bad luck for him.

"It’s been a bad day at the office and we are going to miss both of them but we’ll have a team meeting before training (on Thursday) and I will be telling the boys that this is the time when they have got to show a bit of character in the face of adversity."

With second-placed Cardiff six points behind the Dynamos at the top of ENIHL Division 1 South, having played a game more, the Devils know they must win on Saturday to retain a realistic chance of overhauling Invicta and Parrish added: "It’s a massive game for us. It’s a real four-pointer and if we come away with a win or a draw, I will be happy.

"People have been telling me that we only need three points from the next two games to wrap up the title but to be honest, I’m greedy and I want us to win all of our remaining games."

Dynamos suffered a 6-3 defeat on their last visit to Cardiff in January, a result which Parrish is keen to erase from his memory with victory this weekend.

He added: "Cardiff have got a few injuries as well and they have had one or two dodgy results lately, so we’ll be going there confident."