LEICESTER have called up Edinburgh’s Josh Pickering to guest as they head to Eastbourne for Sunday afternoon’s return Championship fixture (3.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions are two men down in their middle order with Josh Bates joining Ryan Douglas on the injury list after Saturday’s home encounter.
News on Bates is encouraging, though, with early indications being that he should only be out of action for a week or so, and the Lions have a twelve-day break after the Arlington trip.
Pickering, who rides for Edinburgh, will guest for Bates with the rider-replacement facility in operation for Douglas, enabling all members of the team except skipper Scott Nicholls to take an extra ride.
The Eagles’ home form has been strong so far this season with wins over Birmingham (twice) and Somerset, and the tricky Arlington circuit is expected to become a fortress at this level.
Nicholls said: “It certainly isn’t going to be easy, and it would have been tough even going down there with a full team.
“They’re very strong at the top, and their lower-order riders can also get around there. Ever since I can remember, Eastbourne has always been a specialist home track.
“So we know it will be tough, but we’ll go there in a positive frame of mind and see if we can get the points.”
EASTBOURNE: Edward Kennett, Ben Morley, Alfie Bowtell, Lewis Kerr, Richard Lawson, Georgie Wood, Tom Brennan.
LEICESTER: Scott Nicholls, Connor Mountain, Josh Pickering, Ryan Douglas R/R, Richie Worrall, Jack Thomas, Ellis Perks.
