Steve Thornton is poised to make his Great Britain comeback

Belfast Giants' player-coach Steve Thornton has made a surprise return to the Great Britain team.

Thornton hasn't appeared in a GB shirt since the world championships in Croatia four years ago.

"Maybe he needed time away to re-charge but I for one am delighted he wants to come back and help us win,� said GB head coach Paul Thompson.

The team travels to Poland in November for the first phase of the 2010 Olympic qualification process.