The Basingstoke Bison have added experienced British players Warren Tait and Richie Thornton to the Herd for their crunch Challenge Cup game against the Nottingham Panthers.

The pair have joined for this weekends games, so will also be in action in Cardiff on Sunday night for Basingstoke's Elite League clash.

Forward Tait, a former Great Britain international had a brief spell for the Newcastle Vipers earlier this season and scored on his debut against his home town team Nottingham. He has also played for the Sheffield Scimitars in the English Premier League.

The 27-year-old is a solid hard working player and a veteran of the top flight in the British game, having played in Cardiff and London, as well as being a part of the Sheffield Steelers play-off winning side last season.

Defenceman Thornton from the north east of England, is a former junior Great Britain international and last season played for the Newcastle Vipers. He will slot into a four man defensive unit for the Nottingham game.

Bison player/coach Eric Braff said: "It is great that Warren and Richie will be helping us out this weekend. Warren has a lot of experience, he works hard and will add some more energy to the line-up. Richie will partner me on D and I am sure he will do well having played at this level."

The club also still have a number of offers out on the table for several imports.