Oxford City Stars have been given a pre-season boost after they re-signed defenceman Dave Carr.

Carr (pictured), who last season played for Haringey Greyhounds, could make his debut in tomorrow's English League South Division opener against Streatham Redskins.

"It's good to be back and I am looking forward to the new season," said Carr.

"I was going to sign back up with the Greyhounds as I live round the corner from them, but the 11th hour I had a phone call from Darryl Morvan (Stars coach) and a call from Darren Elliott (Stars' skipper).

"They explained about being low on numbers of defencemen, I decided to come back help out the lads as I'm always up for a challenge."

New netminders Kevin McGurk and James Skaife will battle it out for the No 1 spot.

McGurk has joined Stars from Swindon, while Skaife has been recruited from Bracknell.

Oxford coach Morvan is looking forward to facing his old team.

"It will be a good test of our preparation," he said.

"It will also be a measure of our ability against a team that has excellent coaching and strength in depth in their squad.

"Also, for myself, it will be an interesting fixture coaching against the club I learned my hockey with, and against the team I once played for in the early 1980s."

He added: "I am confident we will acquit ourselves well against Streatham.

"They will leave Oxford uncomfortable at the prospect of meeting us again in a month's time at their rink.

"I also feel that, irrespective of the result, our supporters will leave encouraged by our performance."