Krajicek, right, was the star of Slough's last league campaign

The Slough Jets ice hockey team has asked its fans for cash in a bid to keep top import defender Jan Krajicek.

"The club and fans are desperate to have him back, but it's not a great financial climate in hockey," Jets coach Steve Moria told BBC Berkshire.

"We're asking fans if they want to invest in the club and bring Jan back."

Krajicek, 36, impressed in his first season at English Premier League side Slough, but has attracted the attention of Guildford Flames this summer.

With Jets owner and fellow player Zoran Kozic no longer able to sustain a hefty financial loss, Slough have been forced to turn to their supporters for additional funds to keep Krajicek.

"Teams regularly lose money so it's a matter of Slough Jets trying not to lose so much money this year," confirmed Moria, who said he had not set a target for fan donations.

"I'm not looking at a specific figure. I want to see how much can be raised and then a decision can be made whether it's possible to bring him back or not.

"He loves Slough and he wants to come back, I've spoken to him regularly over the last couple of months and he wants a decision from us before he talks to other hockey teams - he hasn't talked to anyone else yet.

"But Jan will leave if he doesn't get a reasonable offer. That's his livelihood, he's an excellent hockey player. If it gets to the end of next week and we can't do anything then Jan's going to put himself forward to other clubs."

Reaction to the plea has been positive according to fans posting on the Jets' official website.

"I'm happy to give what I can, let's get Jan back," is the verdict of one supporter, while others have begged fellow fans to give �5 a week to Krajicek.

Moria believes the bulk of Slough's 2007/08 squad will return for the new season - Jets have announced the re-signings of both Paddy Ward and captain Nicky Chinn in the past fortnight.

Slovenian import Blaz Emersic is into the second year of a two-year contract and negotiations are underway with Calgary-born forward Joe Ciccarello.