SWINDON Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell reckons his side face the stiffest test of their National League credentials so far this weekend.

Nell’s side have put together a superb 10-match winning run over the past month – form that has carried them to the top of the league table.

Despite their excellent recent record, Swindon are only three points clear of second-placed Telford Tigers, who are even able to boast a game in hand.

The two teams will battle for early league supremacy when they go head-to-head at the Link Centre on Saturday night.

Following that game, the Cats go on the road to Peterborough Phantoms – the side who sit in fourth place in the standings.

Although far from a make-or-break weekend for Swindon, Nell knows they will be up against it to continue their excellent form.

“This will be the toughest weekend of our season so far,” said Nell.

“Telford are right behind us in the league table and they have had a really good start to the season. They haven’t lost in regulation time since the very first game of the season.

“Saturday night will be a really good test for both teams. It will be the game played at the fastest pace we have seen all season.

“We have had three games against Telford so far – two friendlies and one league game – and they have all been very good games. I expect the same on Saturday night.

“Then on Sunday, I think Peterborough is the toughest away game of the season. It is a difficult rink to go to.

“We played them last Saturday night and they were very good, especially in the first two periods. I expect them to be the same on Sunday.”

Although his team face the prospect of surrendering top spot in the league table with a twin defeat this weekend, Nell says the Cats should enter both games in confident mood.

No trophies are handed out at this stage of the season, so the Swindon chief has urged his players to let self-belief that is flowing in the locker room right now shine through out on the ice.

“We couldn’t hope for a better situation than the one we are in right now,” said Nell.

“What makes it even better is that sometimes our performances haven’t been perfect and there are things still to work on and try to push for.

“Last Saturday night when we were at home to Peterborough, we were in a hole and we managed to get ourselves out of it.

“The key for us is to enjoy the situation we are in. We have put ourselves in a great spot and we need to try to keep it going for as long as we can.”