(SPEEDWAY 1 – WEDNESDAY PREVIEW)
WORLD Champion Tai Woffinden will miss Wolverhampton’s trip to Belle Vue on Wednesday after being ruled out for a week with a stress-related illness.Woffinden sought medical advice in Sweden yesterday having struggled in Monday’s clash between the sides at Monmore, and he will be replaced at Kirkmanshulme Lane by Coventry’s Chris Harris.Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “Tai was exhausted. He was dehydrated throughout the evening and, perhaps in hindsight, he shouldn’t have raced.“We dropped another home point at home to the Aces on Monday and that’s a disappointment, and we will be using World Cup week to assess our options for the rest of the season.”Belle Vue skipper Scott Nicholls said: “We've got a good run of home meetings now which can only be good for us, so that's what we have to concentrate on. “Kirkmanshulme Lane is a tricky little place to come for visiting teams, but we all feel very comfortable here which is why we’re so strong.”At the Norfolk Arena, leaders King’s Lynn host Leicester with boss Rob Lyon warning of the Norfolk Arena experience within the Lions’ ranks.The visitors include former Stars Elite League riders Simon Stead, Mads Korneliussen and Nicolai Klindt, whilst Lynn regular Simon Lambert comes in at reserve as Josh Bates has a hand injury.Lyon said: “Make no mistake, this one will be no pushover as the Lions boast some riders in their top five who rank King’s Lynn as one of their favourite tracks so our boys will need to be on their game.”Leicester boss Norrie Allan saw his side get off to a poor start on their last visit to the Norfolk Arena which ended with a ten-point defeat, but he believes they can challenge on this occasion.He said: “I felt that had Jason Doyle not been off a 15 metre handicap in Heat 11 following a tapes infringement we could have ended the meeting much closer than we did. “Whilst King’s Lynn are currently the best team in the league we go there with three riders who know the track well and maybe, just maybe, we can give the Stars a closer match this time.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
SHEFFIELD have recalled club asset Ben Wilson who rejoins the Tigers as a replacement for Simon Nielsen.Wilson, who retuned to the sport this season with Stoke in the National League, will make his Owlerton comeback in Thursday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle.Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: “We have turned to some Sheffield steel with this move and we are delighted to welcome Ben back to the club where he started his career. He has a long association with the club through his late grandparents, Roy and Betty, who did wonderful work for Sheffield Speedway.“I would also like to thank Simon Nielsen for his efforts on behalf of the club. We will do all we can to help him get fixed up with another team in the Premier League as quickly as possible.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
STOKE promoter Dave Tattum admits he is “devastated” to see Ben Wilson leave the club to rejoin Premier League Sheffield.Wilson made a successful return to the sport in the National League at Loomer Road but cannot remain with the Potters under the regulations, and the club are now searching for a replacement.Tattum said: “We are devastated and disappointed, having been assured by Ben that he would be at Stoke for a full season. Nevertheless, he has served us very well and it would be churlish not to wish him the best of luck and thank him for his services although the situation leaves us with the acute problem of finding a replacement. “We have launched a search for a replacement and hope that will prove fruitful. In the meantime we have been given a 28 day facility to cover for him initially using Rider Replacement, and with the strength and form of the rest of the team it is certainly a help.”(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JULY 16:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 8pm, Birmingham v Lakeside OFF, King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 17:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Glasgow 7.30, Redcar v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 18:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Belle Vue 7.30, Lakeside v Eastbourne 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30, Plymouth v Glasgow 7.15, Scunthorpe v Rye House 7.30, Somerset v Newcastle 7.30
