STEVE Duncombe believes Blackburn Hawks should be looking for four points in their fixtures this weekend as they look to hit top form after what he describes as a 'shaky start'.

Hawks coach Duncombe and his men face another double header after only having one match last week.

Hawks visit Solway Sharks in the NIHL North Cup today (7pm) and then return home for a league match against Whitley Warriors tomorrow (5.30pm).

Duncombe acknowledges cup progression will be tough this season having lost two of three games in the seven-team group stage but he relays his aims for the league campaign.

“I expect to get all four points this weekend to be honest," he said "We’ve already travelled to Whitley this season and came away with a 5-2 victory so I’m confident we can beat them at our place.

"It’s been a pretty shaky start this year, we got beat 5-1 in the first game but there was a lot of positives to take from that defeat. We’re now going from strength to strength.

And the Hawks chief believes his players are beginning to hit peak fitness at just the right time with a hectic schedule between now and Christmas.

He added: “We’re used to playing twice in one weekend, the fitness levels are getting better now.

"We had a lot of players starting the season for us who had been off the ice for a few years but they’re getting their match fitness back now.

“I think we’ll struggle to progress in the cup, most of the games we’ve lost this season have come in the cup, but we’re looking to do well in the league now.

"The aim for us is fourth, anything above that and I’ll be very happy.”

Hawks are currently seventh, with four points from four games.