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WOLVERHAMPTON have booked club legend Peter Karlsson to stand in for injured countryman Freddie Lindgren in Mondays top-of-the-table clash with Swindon.The clubs are currently first and second in the Elite League table ahead of their meeting at Monmore Green, but Lindgren has been ruled out for a further week due to the arm injury he suffered in the Danish Grand Prix.Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten said: We are delighted to welcome PK back as a guest for Freddie and we hope he can be a hero for us once again. He is assured of legendary status at this club along with the likes of Sam Ermolenko and I'm sure the fans will give him a great welcome on Monday.Swindon are once again a good side this season in the defence of their Elite League title and we are looking forward to a good meeting.
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PETERBOROUGH boss Trevor Swales expects in-form Birmingham to provide his side with a tough test at the Showground on Monday.The Panthers, who have recently made several team changes, were impressive in their last home outing but the Brummies have lost just two of their first 14 Elite League matches.Swales said: Birmingham have been this seasons surprise package. They dont have an out-and-out No.1 but theyve got three guys who have taken on the role this year, and with (Martin) Smolinski and (Josh) Auty going so well theyre a real force.Our last home performance was outstanding and we beat a very good Kings Lynn side, and well need to be on our game again to make sure Birmingham leave empty-handed.(SPEEDWAY 3)
RYE House made it six points out of six from their double-header of Premier League action at Hoddesdon with wins over Glasgow and Sheffield.The Rockets defeated the Scottish side 60-33 and then withstood a late fightback from the Owlerton outfit to win the second meeting 53-42.Pontus Aspgren (14) and Tyson Nelson (12+2) top-scored in the respective meetings and there was an impressive eight (paid ten) from reserve Ben Morley in the first fixture.He said: I was really pleased with my performance, which was so important for my confidence. I particularly needed that last one. It got a bit hairy over the last few bends. Henning (Bager) tried to get inside me, but there was just no way I was going to let him through.
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KINGS Lynn have moved to sign Danish youngster Lasse Bjerre following the news that Sebastian Alden has quit British racing.Bjerre, who rode for the club in 2011 and currently competes full-time for Leicester in the Premier League, is set to make his first appearance back in Stars colours at Belle Vue on Monday.The Norfolk Arena side have, though, suffered a further injury problem with Nicklas Porsing crashing out in Poland on Sunday and has a suspected broken wrist, so Young Stars rider Lewis Kerr is to come in as a guest.
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NEWCASTLE manager George English had no complaints with the outcome of a Premier League thriller against Somerset, which resulted in a 45-45 draw.The Diamonds are the only team in the league to have avoided defeat at home, but the Rebels joined Ipswich in leaving with honours even, with the last four heats of a tense contest all being shared 3-3.English said: It was the fair result, and we now remember why we should never underestimate our opponents as the Rebels raced well and deserved some just rewards.Again one or two of our lads had an iffy night where consistency was at a premium, and its something they will work at to make sure we get more nights like at Edinburgh - but it was a superb meeting to watch without doubt and Somerset should be congratulated, theyre a good team.(SPEEDWAY 6)
SOMERSET boss Garry May has reflected on a positive weekend for his team which featured away points against two of their fellow contenders for Premier League play-off places.The Rebels were edged out 45-44 at leaders Workington on Saturday despite having led throughout the meeting and then picked up two more points from a 45-45 draw at Newcastle on Sunday.May said: I dont think anyone gave us much of a chance coming to both Workington and then Newcastle with riders missing, but all our guests worked really hard and I would like to thank them for all their efforts over this weekend.It was gutting to lose out at Workington right at the very end, but we still claimed a league point, which could be very vital come the final reckoning - but to follow that up with a draw at Newcastle was the real icing on the cake.
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MILDENHALL chairman Kevin Jolly says the Fen Tigers shock home defeat against Buxton could act as a wake-up call for the defending National League champions.The Hitmen secured a 46-44 victory at West Row with Charles Wright and Adam McKinna keeping Josh Bates at the back in a last-heat decider behind Dan Halsey for the 3-3 the visitors needed.Jolly said: We were second-best for most of the afternoon and were certainly taught a lesson from the gate. The only positive to take really is that last season when Stoke surprised us here we then went on a fine run. It hopefully is a wake-up call for everyone as we toyed with defeat in our last home meeting and just got away with it. Maybe we are not as good as we thought, and we need to knuckle down and get our chins off the ground and go to Stoke ready to get back into winning ways.
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MONDAY JULY 22:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Kings Lynn 7.30, Peterborough v Birmingham 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30CHALLENGE: Kent v Scunthorpe Saints 6.30
TUESDAY JULY 23:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Kings Lynn 7pm
WEDNESDAY JULY 24:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30, Kings Lynn v Peterborough 7.30, Poole v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 25:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30LEAGUE CUP S/F 2nd leg: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30TEST MATCH: GB v Australia, Sheffield 7.45
FRIDAY JULY 26:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 7.30, Lakeside v Kings Lynn 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30
