PLAYERS and staff at the Newcastle Jesters ice hockey club hope this morning's post will bring their long-awaited pay cheques.

Wages due on February 28 had still not arrived last night and the club's owners, Fablon of London, and its media rights arm, the Eye Group, continued their silence on the subject.

Two final pay packets are expected this season and the Ice Hockey Superleague is ready to take action if payments do not arrive.

The Superleague decided to take action after it received official complaints from the Ice Hockey Players' Association and the union's Finnish counterparts, which represent a number of Jester players.

Last week, league secretary Brian Storey wrote to the owners asking for an explanation. So far, there has been no response and Mr Storey is preparing to ask his chief executive, Ian Taylor, to take action.

"It can't be allowed to continue indefinitely," said Mr Storey.