Kalmikov re-signed for Hull in July

Hull Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier is confident Ukrainian forward Konstantin Kalmikov will return to last season's form.

Kalmikov, 32, was the Rays' top points scorer last term but has suffered a dip in form this season.

"Last year he scored big goals for us and we need him again this season," Cloutier told BBC Radio Humberside.

"He is a natural goal-scorer and it will come back as it doesn't just disappear overnight."

He added: "He's maybe just been squeezing his stick too much and trying too hard. I've told him he's a goalscorer and it will go in for him."

Kalmikov, who joined the Stingrays in 2008, scored 32 goals in 58 games for the Stingrays last season but has found the net just nine times in 24 matches in this campaign.

The former Nottingham Panthers player returns against Braehead at the Hull Arena on Wednesday night after missing last weekend's action with a back strain.

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