NEWCASTLE Jesters are without three key players for tonight's home Superleague clash with the Cardiff Devils.

Winger Louis Bedard's return to Tyneside has been delayed from yesterday to Saturday, while assistant captain Rob Wilson is due back on Monday.

Tomi Sova is still out with a knee injury and he is 50-50 for the Benson and Hedges Cup Final.

Newcastle have lost just once in regulation time in the last 11 at home, but have suffered three shoot-out defeats, including one against Cardiff last month.

And Cardiff's last away win in regulation time was last December - against Newcastle.

Jesters are also still hoping to have an ex-NHL defenceman on their roster for the cup final, however, the identity of their targets is one of the most closely guarded secrets in British ice hockey.

Assistant coach Glenn Mulvenna is believed to have spent yesterday in talks with agents and the club has held discussions with ex-NHL men both in Europe and North America.

The man will need an EU passport as the roster already has the maximum number of non-holders on the side.

Face-off tonight at the Telewest Arena is 7.15pm.