JOSH Bates will be looking to celebrate being back in the big time with a bumper haul for Leicester against Birmingham on Saturday (7.30).
The 23-year-old, who returned to racing with the Watling JCB Lions for 2019 after a year out through injury, has been handed a doubling-up role by Premiership club Peterborough.
Bumping up his Championship average from 5.87 to 6.91 undoubtedly saw him roar on to the radar and he returned to the top flight in style with a five-point return to help the Panthers beat Poole 46-44 on Thursday.
And having recovered from the injuries that threatened his career last year, Bates is looking forward to more good times.
“It has been a hard couple of years and I am just getting back into the swing of things again now,” said Bates.
“At the beginning of the season I was making the starts and that always makes life a bit easier.
“More recently I have found myself in traffic so the racing craft has to come back. That will take time but I am working hard and it is coming slowly but surely.
“The good thing is there is no injury, I am all fit and ready to go so I can look forward to some big races with the top guys in the Premiership now.”
Lions will be without key reserve Jack Thomas who has gained international recognition with Great Britain’s under-21s. He is replaced by Luke Ruddick.
Children go free at all Leicester home meetings and with the Brummies likely to travel in numbers, club bosses hope the people of Leicester can make it a bumper Bank Holiday weekend turnout.
*TO read the full interview with Bates, pick up a copy of our official programme. Packed with exclusive content, facts, stats and your all-important race card, it is a bargain at £3.
LEICESTER: Scott Nicholls, Connor Mountain, Josh Bates, Ryan Douglas, Richie Worrall, Luke Ruddick, Ellis Perks.
BIRMINGHAM: Adam Ellis, James Shanes, Zach Wajtknecht R/R, Ashley Morris, Ulrich Ostergaard, Paco Castagna, Nathan Stoneman.
