SLOUGH Jets captain Mindaugas Kieras is confident they can turn their fortunes around as soon as his players start to gel.

The Jets suffered a highly disruptive end to the calendar year as new head coach Craig Moran continued to rebuild the team.

He has completed a quintet of signings since taking over at The Hangar last month, although they could not prevent Slough losing twice on their return to the ice last weekend.

The Jets were thrashed 8-2 by a rejuvenated Telford Tigers on Saturday and lost 4-0 at title-chasing Guildford Flames 24 hours later.

The defeats leave them sixth in the English Premier Ice Hockey League, level on points with rivals Bracknell Bees but in danger of missing out on the end of season play-offs.

However, captain Kieras believes the future is looking bright at The Hangar ahead of a visit from the Bees tomorrow (Saturday, 6.30pm face/off).

He said: “It’s tough right now but we are getting better. We’re fitting new players into our systems and, with no training at all together, the guys did well against Milton Keynes before Christmas.

“We have now had a chance to train together and learn the tactics, so we’re looking forward to the challenges ahead.” And Jets’ director of operations Steve English has moved to reassure supporters new signings will be made before the January 31 deadline.

He said: “We’re fully aware of the massive task ahead in signing replacements for the players who have left us, but we are working as hard as possible to make that happen.

“I think we proved against Milton Keynes in our last game of 2013 that we have a great base to build from and that we have players who will give their all, not only to compete in games but to entertain as well.” **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action including Slough Jets match reports and pictures** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**