(SPEEDWAY 1) LAKESIDE boss Jon Cook is optimistic of pulling back a 12-point deficit in their KO Cup tie against Eastbourne - despite suffering another injury. The Eagles won the first leg 53-41 at Arlington, and the Hammers will be without Adam Shields for Friday's return after he suffered a heavy crash in his second ride. With Jonas Davidsson also on the sidelines, Cook has booked Edward Kennett to stand in as a guest - and he has issued a further rallying call to his team. Cook said: "When we lost Adam the writing appeared to be on the wall for our season but the boys fought for every point led by Lee (Richardson), and with Peter (Ljung) again filling a heat leader role we managed to drive away from the Sussex coast with a foot still in the competition. "The spirit from our remaining five riders was superb. We have a real chance to go through and with the addition of Edward, plus an extra ride available for Lee through the 'Rider Replacement' facility for Adam, we can really aim to get stuck into the Eagles at our Raceway on Friday." (SPEEDWAY 2) JOSH Auty will carry home hopes in Sunday's Premier League Riders' Championship at Sheffield. The talented youngster edged reigning champion Ricky Ashworth out of the meeting as his average this season is fractionally higher, and Auty is relishing his debut in the showpiece event. He said: "I'm so excited about riding in this meeting, it means everything to me and it will be a dream come true for me to ride in it for Sheffield. "I feel I can do well, I will go into the meeting with the attitude to win it, why not? If I don't believe I can win it then I might as well not bother turning up!" (FIXTURES)  FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24: ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Lakeside v Eastbourne 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Newport 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Weymouth v Newport 7.15 CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Team Viking 7.30  SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25: PREMIER LEAGUE: Stoke v Newport 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Plymouth 7pm  SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26: PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 5.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Newport v Buxton 6.30