THE BASINGSTOKE Bison boss Doug Sheppard has proved he is determined to make sure his team stay with the pace setters of South One, by signing import Roman Malinik.

He will replace summer signing Jaroslav Cesky who has been released. The new Czech sharp shooter is no stranger to Britain having played for the Manchester Phoenix in the EPL last season.

He returned 30 points from 28 games for the basement side hitting the net 17 times. He arrives in Basingstoke from Polish side Polonia Bytom where he collected a point a game.

Bison Head coach Doug Sheppard is looking forward to seeing his new import in action and said: "He is a hard working player, who I am sure will do well for us as he did for Manchester."

Malinik will make his debut this coming Saturday (6.30pm) against Streatham, as the Herd look to maintain their perfect start to their South One campaign.

The London side are coached by former Bison man Jeremy Cornish and their top British forward is another former Herd man Ryan Watt.

The Bison will wait on the fitness of defenceman Stuart Mogg, while Paul Petts is unavailable.

Sheppard said: "They will be hungry from losing last weekend so it is going to be a tough game. With Paul Petts out of the line-up it will give Hallam Wilson and Sam Brooks the chance to play on one of the top lines."

On Sunday night (6pm), the Bison head to Bracknell for a National Cup clash the teams third this season, with the series tied at 1-1.

Sheppard added: “We won in their barn last time so I hope we can do it again.”