Manchester Phoenix will be the final visitors of 2007 to the Basingstoke Arena on Saturday, looking to extend their recent hot streak to four wins on the trot in the Elite League.

For the Bison it is their only game of the weekend and they will be just as keen to finish their year on a high, but will have to wait to see if their line-up will be bolstered by the return of injured players Steve Thornton (hand), Mikko Purontakanen (groin) and Greg Wood (concussion).

The Herd will also be looking to claw back some of the gap between the sides placed seventh and eighth in the standings. Manchester over the holiday period has extended that to seven points, but the Herd do have two games in hand.

So far this season, the series between these evenly matched rivals is all square at two wins a-piece The last meeting in Altrincham saw the Phoenix win 5-3 with Canadian Joe Tallari leading the home side's scoring with a brace. Greg Owen netted his own double for the visitors, while Danny Stewart got the other Bison goal.

Tickets for Saturday night's game are still available from the box office on (01256) 355266, for what should be another great evening of ice hockey in Basingstoke.