Slava Koulikov reckons Manchester Phoenix can still defend their title despite a slow start to the season.

The Russian-born forward is convinced Phoenix can go on a winning run once their injured stars return to fitness.

There’s good news in that department with long-term casualty Jaroslav Spelda expected back against Basingstoke on Saturday while player-coach Tony Hand confident he will be back in action.

Koulikov said: “We are looking forward to getting people back and to start challenging for the title.

“Our situation has generated a great spirit but to be honest it was there anyway from day one.

“You can see from last season’s championship-winning team there is a great spirit and the new guys have bought into that very quickly.

“From week two the injuries hit but that spirit is only going to bring us closer.

“Hopefully when everyone is back we will show what we can do.”

Koulikov was on target in last Sunday’s 4-1 win over Peterborough and wants more goals to help Phoenix climb the table.

“Every player on the ice would like to score,” he said. “We have defensive players and offensive players and I like to score and help the team to win.

“Hopefully I will carry on doing that but if not I’ll do other things to help the team to win.”

Koulikov joined Phoenix from Slough Jets – Phoenix’s opponents in Altrincham on Sunday – and has been a fixture in British ice hockey since coming over from Russia with his father as a teenager.

“I was 15 and came over with my dad who was a professional hockey player,” he said.

“He finished his career in England and his first stop was in Hull and I came with him and carried on playing here.

“I went through juniors for two or three years and then carried on in the senior team.”

Koulikov has been impressed with the set-up in Altrincham and with the Phoenix fans.

“I moved all the way from Slough where I spent two-and-a-half years to a team which won the championship.

“It’s a very professional set-up, a good dressing room and I am enjoying myself here.

“The fans are really great and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”