(SPEEDWAY 1)
SHEFFIELD have moved to bring back title winner Jan Graversen as a temporary replacement for the injured Josh Bates.
Graversen, who helped the Tigers to the Championship crown last year, has agreed a 28-day deal and will make his first appearance in their home clash with Peterborough on Thursday.
Co-promoter Damien Bates said: “We are constantly talking to Josh about his fitness but we want him back only when he is 100 per cent fit and strong.
“We need the team to be at full strength and this move for Jan enables us to do just that.
“It will be a little harder for Jan because he goes into the main body of the team as opposed to last season when he was at reserve.
“But he's a good rider, very professional, and he did a good job for us last season. We are pleased to welcome him back.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
KING’S Lynn will welcome back British Under-21 Champion Robert Lambert when they host Swindon in the Premiership tonight (Wednesday).
Lambert retained his crown at Berwick on Tuesday and now leads a much-changed Stars side against the defending league champions.
Danish trio Niels-Kristian Iversen, Thomas Jorgensen and Kasper Andersen are all unavailable for the home side, who bring in Craig Cook and former Lynn rider Ashley Morris to guest, and operate rider-replacement for Jorgensen.
The Robins include Troy Batchelor, who rode for the Stars last season but was controversially axed by the club midway through the campaign.
King’s Lynn boss Dale Allitt said: “As I explained earlier in the week, this is the only time all three guys will be missing.
"We would like to thank Craig and Ashley for stepping in and they're two riders who we know can ride our place well.
“While ‘frustrating’ probably sums up our two away performances at Wolverhampton and Swindon, there are positives we can take into the rest of the season with us from those, hopefully starting on Wednesday night.”
Swindon manager Alun Rossiter said: “It’s going to be possibly our toughest meeting so far, because they’ve started the season well and they’re always dialled in around their place.
“We’re showing them the respect they deserve, but we’ve got no reason to fear them and it’s a track where some of our boys have gone well in the past as well.
“I’m sure Troy will be going back to his former club with a point to prove, and we’ll hopefully keep our winning run going.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SOMERSET host Poole tonight (Wednesday) in the first leg of their Premiership KO Cup tie – with several connections between the clubs.
Rebels star Jack Holder made the switch from Wimborne Road to the Oaktree Arena over the winter, whilst the Pirates side includes two recent Somerset riders in Josh Grajczonek and Brady Kurtz.
Home boss Garry May said: “In fairness, I don’t think either side have shown their true abilities yet in this stop-and-start season, and putting in a good, solid performance would serve as a timely confidence boost to either.
“I am hoping that our lads can build on the good comeback they showed at Monday night against Belle Vue.
“We obviously will be looking for a nice decent lead to bank for the second leg but there is no doubt that they have riders who can perform around here.”
Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “Local rivalry will be at its highest. That will provide an extra dimension in the battle for bragging rights, but we have a side capable of winning there if we can hit the form that I believe this team has.
“However, it won't be easy and they will be raising their game simply because they are racing against us.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BELLE Vue bid to hit back from defeat at Eastbourne last weekend when they host Plymouth in the National League tonight (Wednesday).
Colts co-boss Steve Williams has stated he requires a positive reaction from the 29-61 loss at Arlington when the Devils come to Manchester.
Williams said: “We’ve had plenty of time to regroup and consolidate what needs to be done at home, and we’ve every confidence this team can deliver the goods. But it won’t be an easy task against Plymouth.
“They have a very experienced core of riders. Adam Roynon and James Cockle are both stalwarts of British Speedway and they have some very promising youngsters like Henry Atkins coming through.
“But with effort and determination, we believe we can continue our strong home record. The boys are performing exactly as we expect so we see no reason why we can’t come away with the win.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY MAY 2:
PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Swindon 7.30,
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Somerset v Poole 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Plymouth 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 3:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield v Peterborough 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Ipswich v Lakeside 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD: Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7pm
FRIDAY MAY 4:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Peterborough 7.30, Glasgow v Sheffield 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Lakeside v Ipswich 8pm
CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD: Workington v Berwick 7.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Mildenhall 7.15
SATURDAY MAY 5:
CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD: Berwick v Workington 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Belle Vue 7pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Eastbourne v Isle of Wight 7.30
