Watkins joined Telford Tigers from Coventry Blaze

Telford Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins has been banned for five games by the English Premier League for criticising the referee at Sheffield.

Watkins was handed a misconduct match penalty in the 6-4 defeat.

"Of course I regret losing my cool - I wouldn't condone that from any of my players," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

Watkins believes the length of the ban is "harsh" but added: "Sadly we are not in a position to appeal as that would take valuable funds from the team."

Karl Creamer and Mark Hazlehurst will take over from Watkins on the bench.

"While I am out it will make it that bit harder to pick up points," he added.

"But we still have good guys on the team, and there's no reason why we can't still compete."

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