LEICESTER are putting together a strong side for their eagerly awaited Challenge match at Sheffield on Thursday.The Lions are expected to make a full-time return in 2010 after an almost 30-year absence and the team that heads to Yorkshire will include Sergei Darkin, David Howe, Klaus Jacobsen, Simon Lambert and subject to confirmation, Nicolai Klindt.Sheffield co-promoter David Hoggart said: “This  meeting will help let the Leicester authorities know that there is a huge amount of interest backing their decision to allow speedway to return to their city next season.”

WORKINGTON and Stoke’s Young Shield tie is delicately poised after last night’s semi-final first leg was cut short by a power failure at Loomer Road.The scores were locked at 39-39 when the lights went out, but the result stands and the teams now head to Derwent Park today for the deciding second leg.Stoke promoter Dave Tattum said “We know what happened tonight and the problem has been resolved, but I would like to apologise to the supporters for what occurred.”

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 11:YOUNG SHIELD SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Workington v Stoke 3pm NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Buxton v Bournemouth 3pm SHAREHOLDERS' TROPHY: Mildenhall 4pm SCOTTISH CUP: Glasgow v Edinburgh 4pmCHALLENGE: Newport Hornets v USA Dream Team 2.30

MONDAY OCTOBER 12:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st Leg: Lakeside v Coventry 8pm PROMOTION PLAY-OFF 2nd leg: King's Lynn v Birmingham 7.30CHALLENGE: Poole v Eastbourne 7.30, (followed by) Poole v Ipswich

THURSDAY OCTOBER 15:UNDER-25 TEST: Great Britain v Australia, Ipswich 7.30 FIREWORK FINALE: Sheffield v Leicester 7.45 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Bournemouth v Buxton 7.30CHALLENGE: Swindon v USA Dream Team 7.30