(SPEEDWAY 1)

POOLE promoter Matt Ford is calling for new heroes to emerge as the Elite League leaders face Birmingham tonight with problems at the top-end of their team.Former club captain Davey Watt guests for the injured Darcy Ward, whilst youngster Todd Kurtz comes into the side as the Pirates have yet to replace third heat-leader Adrian Miedzinski.Ford said: “We were under the cosh last week but our heads never dropped and the fight to get us back into the meeting was intense. We need that same resolve on Wednesday.”Meanwhile King’s Lynn boss Rob Lyon is looking for his side to build on two away points gained last week when the Stars face Belle Vue at the Norfolk Arena.Lyon said: “It finally feels like the season is now up and running after last week’s two away results. I now need the team to put on a really solid display against the Aces, but I do not think that is going to be as easy as many would assume.”

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WOLVERHAMPTON youngster Pontus Aspgren has flown back to Sweden for x-rays on his damaged thumb.Aspgren crashed in Monday’s hard fought 51-42 win over Belle Vue at Monmore and didn’t complete the meeting.Parrys International Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “Pontus has gone home to have it checked out and obviously we hope nothing is broken.“Our run of injuries this season is bad enough, we can do without another.”(SPEEDWAY 3)

SHEFFIELD and Scunthorpe face a crunch clash at Owlerton on Thursday with both sides vying for a League Cup semi-final berth.The Tigers currently hold the advantage after winning at the Eddie Wright Raceway recently, and Newcastle, who go to Redcar, also retain a chance of qualification alongside group winners Workington.Sheffield promoter Neil Machin said: “Many people were revelling in our early season results but we have turned it around and we are now in a fairly strong position. “At one stage it looked like we would be racing for just local pride but this meeting is now extremely meaningful and carries great significance in the context of the competition.”

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SCUNTHORPE’S Thomas Jorgensen is back on the sidelines after suffering further damage to his ribs last weekend.The Dane is now set to miss the Scorpions’ busy run of three meetings in four days this week, starting at Sheffield on Thursday.Manager Richard Hollingsworth said: “Thomas rode in a challenge meeting at Leicester on Saturday, and still had problems with his ribs. I’ve heard of broken and bruised ribs before, but in Thomas’s case, they are bent. He’s gone back across to Denmark this week for some specialist treatment.“We will be utilising both guests and rider replacement this week, and we will be swapping the team around a bit, to make sure we can the most out of the rider replacement. We need to give the reserves a minimum of eleven rides in each meeting, so we need to get the best out of Ashley (Birks) and Michael (Palm Toft).”

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BIRMINGHAM became the first team to take points off Poole in the Elite League this season with a dramatic 46-46 draw at Wimborne Road.But Brummies boss Phil Morris was left frustrated as his side let a twelve-point lead slip with Chris Holder producing more last-bend heroics for the Pirates with a last-gasp pass of Bjarne Pedersen in Heat 15 to salvage a share of the spoils.Morris said: “We should have won that meeting – they came on strong, and credit to them, and there were a few decisions which didn’t quite go in our favour.“We got the draw and I suppose you have to look at the positives of that, but really I don’t think us or anyone will have a chance like that at Poole again.”

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POLISH star Krzysztof Kasprzak has agreed a deal to rejoin Poole from next month as a replacement for fellow countryman Adrian Miedzinski.Kasprzak helped the Pirates to title wins back in 2003-04 but has missed out on British racing so far this season after racing for Birmingham last year.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “Krzysztof was the first rider I turned to once I knew we had a vacancy that fitted his 7.97 average and after an initial knockback I am delighted that the extended talks have concluded in a positive agreement for us, with Krzysztof confirming that he will be available from July. “With a rider of his quality Poole will benefit and I believe that he will be a seamless replacement for Adrian who did such a great job for us.”

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LAKESIDE promoter Jon Cook has stressed the vital importance of the Hammers’ home clash with King’s Lynn on Friday.The Hammers were beaten 53-36 by Swindon at Purfleet on Monday and now face a Stars side who picked up points on the road in two away matches last week before a 51-40 home win over Belle Vue on Wednesday.Cook said: “Monday has gone now, and we are lucky that we have a chance to get back on track so quickly to put it behind us. To be racing on our normal race night for the first time in a month should be to our advantage as the crowd always creates a great Friday atmosphere and this week is going to be absolutely crucial to pick up the win and stay at the right end of the League table. “Things are tough for the club of course, but no riders were making any excuses and we all know that the romantic idea that we can go on and win the League will only happen with a great deal of hard work from all, and a reinforcement of the squad on which we are working in a very difficult rider market.”

(SPEEDWAY 8)

EDINBURGH hope to bring an end to a club record-breaking sparse run of home matches when they face Premier League leaders Newcastle at Armadale on Friday.The Monarchs have only raced twice at home in a 49-day period, and have not been in track action on their own circuit since June 1.Manager John Campbell said: “Newcastle are currently no less than eight points clear at the top of the Premier League. That shows how well they are doing although, as we know, it will count for nothing if they can’t maintain this form through the play-offs.“These rain-offs are causing me some concern over restaging dates. At the moment I have still to agree a date with Leicester and this is proving a bit of a challenge. For play-off purposes we must complete our league matches by Monday 17th September and we have a meeting on every available Friday up to that date.”

(SPEEDWAY 9)

MILDENHALL skipper Lewis Blackbird is looking forward to a big weekend for the Fen Tigers – starting with the National League Fours at Stoke on Saturday.Blackbird believes his side are in with a good chance of victory at Loomer Road, before they bid to regain ground on Dudley in the league table when they face Buxton at home the following day.Blackbird said: “I know we are in with a great chance of winning the Fours. I feel back to my best, Stefan (Nielsen) has hit form here and in Denmark, everyone knows what Cam (Heeps) can do, and Danny (Halsey) is determined to get back to his early season form. If we click, as I know we can, we are good enough to win. “Then on Sunday we want all three points to stay in touch with Dudley at the top of the league. They've nipped in front of us and we want top spot back!”(FIXTURES)

THURSDAY JUNE 21:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Belle Vue OFFPREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Workington 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.45

FRIDAY JUNE 22:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v King’s Lynn 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30, Plymouth v Sheffield 7.30, Scunthorpe v Ipswich 7.30, Somerset v Rye House 7.30

SATURDAY JUNE 23:PREMIER LEAGUE: Leicester v Plymouth 7.30, Rye House v Edinburgh 7pm, Workington v Glasgow 7pmLEAGUE CUP: Berwick v Sheffield 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Stoke 6pm

SUNDAY JUNE 24:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Scunthorpe 4pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Buxton 4.30