MANCHESTER Phoenix today reached agreement with Planet Ice to build a temporary ice rink. The trouble is they still have nowhere to put it.

The region's only ice hockey club is hoping to be back in action by the Autumn with a professional team playing in the Elite Hockey League backed up by junior teams from under 9s to under 18s.

They are still negotiating with Trafford Council and developer David McLean Nikal over a site for a temporary facility.

While at one point it looked as though they were close to an agreement tied in with the proposed re-development of Altrincham town centre but talks appear to have reached a stalemate and time is running out to get a team ready for next season.

Planet Ice runs nine ice rinks in the UK and Europe and today agreed with Phoenix managing director Neil Morris to fund and erect the temporary rink as soon as a site can be confirmed.

Planet Ice boss Mike Petrouis said: " Planet Ice have been interested in putting an ice facility into Greater Manchester for many years now - we have just been looking for the right partner. We believe that this partnership with Manchester Phoenix will deliver an ice sports facility that is greatly needed in the greater Manchester area."

Morris is delighted with the link up and said: "This partnership brings a wealth of experience in ice sports to help us achieve our goal.

"Planet Ice are the missing part of the link. Their experience and professionalism coupled with Manchester's enthusiasm for ice sports and a professional ice hockey team running teams at all levels provides a powerful combination, all we need is the right location. I am certain that the demand is there for the facility, it's just a question of getting all parties together in the right way at the right time to achieve this goal. This partnership with Planet Ice helps us to do this. We will build an ice rink for the people of Manchester."

Phoenix went into cold storage at the end of last season after deciding it was just too expensive to play at the MEN Arena.

Since then they have been working relentlessly to find a venue for their temporary rink. Manchester appear to have ruled out a site at Sportcity until the Government's decision on the region's super casino has been reached.