MORE changes have been made this week at the Herd, this time to the Brit pack as young forwards Gavin Farrand and Scott Spearing have both departed.

Sheffield-born Farrand has been released by the club, while Spearing asked to leave to return to the Bracknell Bees, from where he joined the Bison.

Player/coach Doug Sheppard is talking to a number of players in both the Elite League and English Premier League as possible replacements, with a new face expected to be in the line-up for this coming week-end's games against the Hull Stingrays.

Farrand and Spearing were part of an all-British forward line for Basingstoke, which in the opening 20 games had failed to find the net once - hence the reason for the change.

Sheppard said: "I felt the line was finding it hard to compete against Newcastle and Belfast's third line. Even if Gazza Mark Galazzi and Greg Wood were playing well, we needed another player on that line and Gavin has failed to produce so far."

He added: "Scott asked to leave as he felt he would develop more as a player at Bracknell. I wish both players well for the rest of the season."

Back in Sheffield, Farrand said: "It didn't work out in Basingstoke and I think it will be the best thing for both of us. I have a couple of offers on the table, but have yet to decide where to go next."

At the weekend the Bison face a double-header against the Hull Stingrays - first in Basingstoke (6.30pm) and then in Humberside.

The home game is not on the season ticket, so all seats have to be purchased.

Looking at a busy schedule, Sheppard said: "Belfast is going to be a tough game, but we hope they will take us lightly and we can get a result there.

"I think the games against Hull are very important to us. We will be looking for four points as I want this team to start moving up the standings."