LEICESTER are all set to launch their Championship title challenge today (Sunday) - at the third time of asking!
The Watling JCB Lions host Newcastle at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena in a meeting which will get underway at 5.30pm, having been put back from Saturday night due the poor weather earlier in the weekend.
With Storm Hannah having cleared, the Lions are looking to get off to a winning start after also seeing their trip to Birmingham last week called off.
And they will welcome back fast-improving reserve Jack Thomas on the back of a tremendous result in the British Under-21 Final at Berwick on Saturday.
Thomas secured a rostrum finish in third place behind Robert Lambert and Zach Wajtknecht, a result which puts him in pole position to contest the World Under-21 qualifying rounds.
Thomas said: “It was a tough meeting at Berwick, I went there to try and get on the podium and I did that, so I’m really pleased.
“My gating gloves were on which was nice, I was getting some good starts, and then in the semi-final Drew (Kemp) made a mistake, he came in a bit tight and I was there and I got the move on him.
“My Dad has been with me, he’s done everything for me and he’s now got to do the same again for the
Newcastle match!
“The Thompson Twins have been brilliant to let me use their workshop on Sunday morning, so my thanks to them and I’ll go into the meeting on a high, get stuck in and see what we can bring home.”
Newcastle include three former Leicester riders in the their team, and sibling rivalry is also guaranteed as Lions heat-leader Richie Worrall goes up against twin brother Steve, who captains the Diamonds.
LEICESTER: Scott Nicholls, Ellis Perks, Josh Bates, Ryan Douglas, Richie Worrall, Jack Thomas, Connor Mountain.
NEWCASTLE: Steve Worrall, Simon Lambert, Lasse Bjerre, Matthew Wethers, Thomas Jorgensen, Max Clegg, Danny Phillips.
