LEICESTER are forced to take a patched-up side to Eastbourne for today’s Knockout Cup first leg tie (3.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions are without two of their top three following Richie Worrall’s broken ankle suffered at Poole on Thursday, whilst Josh Bates was concussed in his Heat 3 crash last night.
Lions have to use one guest and rider-replacement but options are severely restricted by the fact that only three Championship clubs are not racing today – and various potential replacements are either already booked elsewhere or are otherwise unavailable.
Redcar’s Michael Palm Toft had initially been lined up but pulled out after Saturday’s meeting, and boss Stewart Dickson has exhausted each and every candidate from the three inactive clubs.
Rider-replacement will operate for Worrall – allowing skipper Scott Nicholls an extra ride - with Lions calling in Ryan Terry-Daley, who rides for the Isle of Wight in the National League, to replace Bates.
There has also been a change at reserve where David Wallinger was in line to guest for Jack Thomas, only to suffer concussion at Plymouth on Friday. His Gladiators team-mate Adam Extance now stands in.
Dickson said: ““I had booked Michael but he says he snapped his frame on his bike (on Saturday) so he’s now not coming which has left me in a bit of a hole.
“We’re really struggling because there’s eight teams racing on Sunday and everybody is chasing the same riders – you name it, I’ve tried them, and it’s a real predicament.
“So we’re going there with half a team unfortunately, but our aim has to be to score as many points as possible and hopefully remain in touch prior to the second leg.”
EASTBOURNE: Richard Lawson, Ben Morley, Kyle Newman, Lewis Kerr, Edward Kennett, Alfie Bowtell, Georgie Wood.
LEICESTER: Scott Nicholls, Ellis Perks, Ryan Terry-Daley, Ryan Douglas, Richie Worrall R/R, Adam Extance, Connor Mountain.
