Five Belfast Giants have been named in the Team GB squad set to face Norway in back-to-back international games.

The sides will meet at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham on Tuesday 1 November and then at ice Arena Wales in Cardiff on Wednesday 2 November.

The games come as Team GB prepare for the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship to be hosted at the SSE Arena Belfast in April.

Team GB head coach Peter Russell has named a 43-man squad to be split into two rosters for the games against Norway, who are ranked 11th in the world.

The first two games of the season for Team GB won’t come much bigger or tougher than this. Team GB head coach Peter Russell

Giants netminder Stephen Murphy, plus defenceman Mark Garside and forwards Jonathan Boxill and Colin Shields are named in the roster for the first game.

Netminder Jackson Whistle is named in the roster for the second game.

Russell said the games present a huge challenge, but also a fantastic experience for his side.

“We have selected a mixed squad with returnees and players on the bubble,” he added.

“We are going to use this opportunity to give some of our youngest prospects a chance to experience hockey at the very highest level.”