BRACKNELL Bees’ coaches and senior players are ‘doing that bit extra’ while they wait for player-coach Scott Spearing to recovery from injury, writes Dave Wright.

Spearing sustained a nasty head injury when falling at work and there are fears it could be some time before he is back playing.

Club director Carol Miller confirmed he is out of hospital and resting at home, adding: “We look forward to seeing him back as soon as possible, but at the moment we don’t know when that will be.

“We don’t want him rushing back too soon, his well-being is the most important thing.”

Spearing has missed the last three games, with his assistants, Rob Lamey and Gareth Cox, assuming the coaching duties.

“A lot of the veteran guys are helping out as well,” revealed Shaun Thompson.

“The boys were sad to hear about Scott’s accident, but are handling it well.

“Obviously, you always want your main coach around and we do wish him a speedy recovery, but in terms of the team it is business as usual, which is a great sign of the professionalism we have here.”

That was shown last weekend when Bees completed another league double, beating Cardiff Fire 8-1 at home and Kent side Invicta Dynamos 5-4 after a penalty shoot-out.

“It is looking very positive at the moment in terms of the league,” said Thompson, who scored a hat-trick against Cardiff and was named the man of the match.

“But we have to take into account we still have games with Basingstoke, Swindon and Peterborough to come, so we have to feed off these wins (against Cardiff) and take them into the bigger, tougher games.”

Bees lie second in the NIHL South One standings, but are level on points with Peterborough Phantoms, with unbeaten Basingstoke and Swindon Wildcats close behind.

This coming weekend, however, Bracknell turn their attention to the National Cup with Group D games against Telford Tigers, who are second in North One, at home on Saturday and away on Sunday, both with 6pm push-backs.

“Telford are going to be a massive challenge,” admitted Thompson.

“We have been struggling a little bit in the cup, but it’s not yet done and dusted and we will need to play to our full potential.”

Bees are bottom of their group with two points from four games, while Swindon have taken maximum points from their four matches, with Basingstoke on six points from seven games and Telford four from five.

So this weekend is a crucial one for both clubs if they want to progress to the knock-out stages of the competition.

Bracknell will certainly not be lacking in confidence as they are good form at the moment and, unlike last season, are scoring a lot of goals.

Frankie Bakrlik, the South One player of the month for October, is the division’s leading scorer on 19 goals, with Thompson in third place with 12 following his treble on Saturday, but the 30-year-old has made the most assists with 17.

And he is now firmly established among the most productive players in the club’s history, occupying fifth place in both the all-time goals and assists lists.

“There are some big names there like Chris Brant and Darin Fridgen,” admitted the player who dons the No.13 shirt.

“It would be a nice personal achievement if I can achieve something like they did before I finish.”

Thompson said he hasn’t set himself any personal targets this season, but added: “I just aim to be at my best every night. I want to feel good and if I feel good then I am enjoying it.

“I have just set myself the task of looking after myself, staying in good shape and working hard because that will help me go a long way in this league.”