NB Please note tonight’s meeting at STOKE starts at 7pm (not 7.30pm).
(SPEEDWAY 1)
GREAT Britain Youth co-boss Neil Vatcher is confident in the ability of the national Under-21s ahead of their World Team Cup semi-final at Lakeside on Sunday.Vatcher feels home man Richie Worrall can continue his excellent form and says there is plenty more Purfleet experience in the team despite the injury absence of Kyle Newman, who is replaced by Tom Perry.Vatcher said: “Richie is attracting a growing army of admirers for his performances this season, and he has been gaining some very useful experience of riding the Lakeside track recently.“Joe Haines loves it at Lakeside, and we are confident that we can put on a good show and push Denmark and Australia hard for the top two positions.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
TAI Woffinden has had a successful scaphoid operation and could be back racing within a month.The Wolves star crashed at Monmore Green just under a fortnight ago, but the surgery means the recovery process should be quicker than initially feared. His club, meanwhile, have booked their former skipper Peter Karlsson to guest against Peterborough on Monday.Wolves chief Chris Van Straaten said: “Tai had an operation this week which will stabilise the bone and he now needs to rest it for a few weeks.“But he could be back in a month which is better news than it may have been. He’s a key rider in our team and we need him back.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
PLYMOUTH promoter Mike Bowden is still keen to make changes – despite a home win over Scunthorpe.The Devils won Friday’s Premier League fixture 47-43 with Ryan Fisher top-scoring on 14 points from five rides, with the Scorpions’ taking a point despite the first-ride loss of Thomas Jorgensen with a knee injury.Bowden said: “Some of our riders did not perform as well as I would have expected and changes will be made.“The Plymouth public will not put up with a losing team and we cannot afford to have our reserves outscored on our home track.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
RYE House promoter Len Silver admitted the Rockets could have no complaints after crashing to a 31-59 defeat at Edinburgh on Friday.The Monarchs are firm favourites to progress to the next round of the KO Cup due to their dominant Armadale display led by Craig Cook (14) and Andrew Tully (11+1).Silver said: “Aside from Anders Mellgren and to a lesser degree Luke Bowen, we just weren’t at the races. They out-gated us, they out-rode us, it’s as simple as that. (Saturday) night is all about restoring pride, we need to get our heads down and focus on the next fifteen races.”Satisfied Edinburgh chief Alex Harkess said: “It would be wrong to take anything for granted but we will be very disappointed if we can’t finish the job.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
STOKE have signed 17-year-old Liam Carr who is set to make his first appearances for the Potters in this weekend’s fixtures against Buxton.Carr comes in to replace Rhys Naylor and will make his debut against the Hitmen at Loomer Road on Saturday (7pm).Manager Malcolm Vasey said: “Liam has come highly rated by people that we have a great deal of respect for in the North-East and we are delighted to have him in our side for this weekend’s matches. “We are continually looking to improve the team and if changes are required then we will make them as we have in this case. We are in all competitions to win and if we feel there is a chance to improve the team then we will do so.”(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY MAY 26:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Leicester v Somerset 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Rye House v Edinburgh 7pmLEAGUE CUP: Workington v Newcastle 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 27:WORLD UNDER-21 TEAM CUP SEMI-FINAL: Lakeside 4pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Glasgow v Plymouth 4pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Stoke 3pm, Mildenhall v Rye House 4.30, Scunthorpe v King’s Lynn 3pm, Scunthorpe v Dudley (follows previous fixture).
MONDAY MAY 28:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30, Coventry v Birmingham 7.30, Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Newcastle v Redcar 7.30
TUESDAY MAY 29:NATIONAL SHIELD 2nd leg: Dudley v Mildenhall 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 30:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Lakeside 7.30ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30
