Bristol Pitbulls travel to Romford Fury tonight without key forward Mike Smith.

The Pitbulls' frontman is missing the English National Hockey League clash because his wife is due to give birth.

Player-coach Richie Hargreaves joked: "I asked her if she wanted to travel on the coach with us, but it wasn't to be.

"We are without Sammy Hayman (another forward) because of university studies and we have one or two injuries, so we will give chances to a couple of juniors. They haven't had much ice-time but they have only done well for us so far."

The Pitbulls will be looking to the 5.15pm face-off in Essex to bounce back from last Saturday's narrow home loss to Swindon Wildcats.

"When we lost our previous game to Swindon, we went out the next day and smashed Gosport, so they do learn," said Hargreaves, who may have to play in defence today.

The Pitbulls are back in home action against Chelmsford Warriors at Bristol Ice Rink in Frogmore Street next Saturday (5.55pm).