Telford Tigers’ forward Rick Plant is refusing to lower his expectations of EPL silverware next season.

Plant has won 16 major trophies during a 22-year professional career, including the league and cup double with Telford in 2015.

The Shropshire-trained star is about to embark on his third full season with the Tigers, after returning from Guildford Flames in December 2013.

“Winning has got to be the target and you never start a season with the aim of finishing anywhere but first,” he said.

“If you want to be at the top in any sport, then even if you finished last the previous season, you always want to win the league.

“We will have to wait and see how the other teams stack up, but from the signings Tom has made, we have a good chance of winning something.”

The 38-year-old will be part of a Tigers squad that has undergone a transformation this summer, with seven new arrivals so far.

Those additions include netminder Ondrej Raszka and import forwards Michal Satek and Doug Clarkson, alongside Luke Brittle, Corey McEwen, Warren Tait and Adam Jones.

Head Coach Tom Watkins is still on the lookout for a fifth import, with up to four more slots available in his likely 22-man squad.

Plant added: “It will be really interesting to see the new guys come in. There’s a couple I don’t know too much about as they’re new to the league.

“But Michal Satek put up some really good numbers for Manchester Phoenix last season and hopefully he can do the same for us here.

“The squad will have a new look, but Tom has made some very good signings. Hopefully they will help to push us onto the next level.

“Over the last three years the standard of play in the EPL hasn’t changed too much.

“During my career I have forged out from being solid defensively, trying to keep hold of the puck and bring other players into the game more.

“I just try to play to my strengths and use the skills I have got to help the team in any way I can.”

(Image permission: Steve Brodie)