Stars are currently sixth in the English Ice Hockey South Division

Oxford City Stars boss Gary Dent has warned his side that they must improve on their recent poor form if they are to finish in the top four this season.

Stars are sixth in Division One South, nine points off a top four place, having won just two of their last 10 league matches.

"We need to improve our form if we're going to finish top four, and we need to do it soon," Dent told BBC Oxford.

"If we get things to roll our way then we can certainly move up the table."

Stars, who have lost 14 of their opening 29 games, have been without key players Gareth Endicott, Wayne Fiddes and Andrew Shurmer for most of the season with long-term injuries.

Endicott underwent a hernia operation in November, while Fiddes and Shurmer were sidelined with ankle and knee injuries respectively.

"We did have a set back period, where we had a bunch of players missing and our rink was closed so we couldn't train," said Dent.

"We are now back training full-time and the squad are back to full fitness but it's still taking a while for players to get back to where they were before that spell.

With 11 games left before the play-off series starts, Dent is hoping for a strong end to the Stars' league campaign, starting with their home tie against fourth-place Romford Raiders on Sunday.

"They are a decent side but our aim is to get as high as possible and get the best possible draw for the play-offs," said the Stars boss.

"It would be nice to make the top four because where you finish determines who you play in the first round of the series.

"The thing about this league is anybody in the top eight can beat each other. So it could be an interesting play-off series, where any team could spark a surprise."

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