BLACKBURN Hawks have a tough weekend ahead as they face a Birmingham Eagles double bill.

Tonight the Hawks will travel to the Midlands for an English National Hockey League Cup clash, before the Eagles visit the Arena for a Premier Cup tie just 24 hours later.

And a win is more important than ever to the Hawks, after their last three games have ended in defeat.

"We were really disappointed with the result against Kingston last weekend, we should have won," said the team's player/coach Bobby Haig.

"Although we're not likely to get through in either cup, the games are still very important to us as winning would be a great confidence booster.

"Birmingham beat us 6-0 in our last cup meeting and it's going to be a tough couple of games, but we'll go in there and give it everything we've got.

"We're only a point behind the Eagles in the league at the moment, and a win this weekend will put us in the right frame of mind for our next league match against them in February next year."

The Hawks are hoping to have a full squad, apart from Mark McDonald who will return from suspension after the two games. Also, despite making it to the Kingston game last Sunday after suffering from dizzy spells, Craig Sharman is still not 100 per cent fit and will be watched closely.

The arena aces are expecting to keep the same squad for the rest of the season, as they are not planning any new signings before the transfer deadline.

The Arena doors open at 5:15pm on Sunday from the 6 O' clock face off.