Raiders player-coach Adam Laishram wants his side to get back to winning ways in the National League this weekend - as he returns to the bench.

With fellow Canadian Andrew Shewfelt unavailable last weekend, Laishram laced up his skates again having missed nine games due to a concussion suffered against Hull.

Davey Phillips was given a four-game ban for the check to the head, before Raiders eventually brought in Zachary Yokoyama as injury cover.

But Laishram is happy to go back to a watching brief as Raiders visit Peterborough on Saturday and host Solway on Sunday (5.15pm).

He said: "We definitely struggled without Andrew Shewfelt, so we are happy to have him back in the line-up this weekend to give us a boost, while also giving me the chance to focus on my recovery and continue supporting from the bench.

"The league remains so tight and we know we have to show up ready to work every night in order to stay up near the top of the table.

"It will be important to get back to winning ways on home ice in the next few weeks against Solway and Bristol, while grinding out some road wins against top teams in Peterborough and Swindon as well."

Laishram's return to action last weekend coincided with Raiders suffering only a second home defeat in 11 matches this season.

Telford raced into a 3-0 lead in the opening period, before Jake Sylvester replied early in the middle session.

Eric Henderson completed a hat-trick for the Tigers, before Yokoyama and Tjay Anderson hit back either side of the second break to give Raiders hope.

But the visitors converted on a powerplay and were awarded their second shorthanded goal of the night late on, when Harry Ferguson was fouled as he attempted to fire into an empty net, to skate off with a 6-3 win.

"We dug ourselves a hole early on, conceding three goals in the first period, which is never easy to battle back from," added Laishram.

"We had multiple grade A scoring chances that normally end up in the back of the net but credit to [Telford goalie] Brad Day who was on his game."

Raiders fell behind in Sheffield the following night, but Yokoyama got them back on terms with a powerplay goal just 36 seconds before the break.

After a scoreless middle stanza, the hosts regained the lead only for Anderson's powerplay goal to level it up again.

And although Steeldogs converted on another man advantage inside the final two minutes, Anderson replied with 75 seconds left to force overtime.

Only 14 extra seconds were needed for Sheffield to net a winner, but Raiders picked up a point for their efforts.

"Sunday in Sheffield was a better overall team performance," said Laishram, whose side will host MK Lightning in the semi-finals of the cup on Wednesday, December 4 (7.15pm).

"I was very impressed with the play of our third line of Tommy Huggett, Joe Tomalin and Nils Maskalans.

"They brought a ton of energy playing in the offensive zone which helped lift the whole team to get a well-deserved point on the road.

"We didn’t get the results we wanted last weekend, but it wasn’t from a lack of effort.

"It is great to see our strong start to the season has earned us a cup semi-final against MK, the boys really deserve it and are excited to be playing meaningful games this early in the season.