Tony Hand wants a bigger squad this season as he plots a Phoenix assault on a second English Premier League title.

After announcing the return of defenceman Ryan Johnson after a season at Sheffield Steeldogs and the re-signing of utility player Ben Wood, Hand declared: “Over the course of a year you can’t go with a skeleton squad.

“We tried that in the first year in the EPL and it didn’t work.”

The 27-year-old Johnson scored seven goals and nine assists for the Steeldogs last season and played a couple of games for the Steelers in the Elite League.

Hand said: “Ryan had a season with us and went back to Sheffield and he’s also played a few games for the Steelers.

“He’s a bit more mature and experienced and that’s what we need because we lost some experienced players.

“We lost Pash Gomeniuk and Curtis Huppe, guys who were a bit older, so I was happy to get Ryan.

“He’s good on the ice and good in the dressing room so he’s a good signing for us.”

Macclesfield based Ben Wood, 23, will add depth and variety to the squad which is almost complete barring a couple of imports, another Brit utility man and a back-up netminder.

Hand said: “Ben is developing as a player but still needs to work on his game. But he has a great attitude and is very fit and he gives us the depth we need in the squad.”