LEICESTER return to Premiership action with a big Midlands derby against Wolverhampton at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Monday (7.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions were left disappointed by their KO Cup exit against King’s Lynn last week and are now seeking to make progress in the league with four meetings in an eight-day period.
Results from those will define the Lions’ position going into the break for the Speedway of Nations, and club owner Damien Bates admits the injury-plagued start to the season has been a constant headache.
Lions have won two of their three home matches in the league so far but will require points on the road to compensate for last month’s defeat to Swindon.
Bates said: “I have to say I am disappointed with the result at King’s Lynn last Wednesday.
“Hopefully the lads can bounce back on Monday, but Wolverhampton are a good side with solid riders who have plenty of experience.
“It’s a tricky time for us right now but we have to maintain belief that we can work our way through this.
“Injuries have been cruel to us, but our intention is to push as hard as we can for a top four place.”
Lions are again forced into changes, with Hans Andersen competing in a GP qualifier in Germany and skipper Danny King still ruled out with his arm injury.
Andersen’s place is taken by Richie Worrall, who was highly impressive in last week’s British Semi-Final at Leicester with three straight wins before being the innocent victim of a heavy crash in his fourth ride.
Meanwhile Ricky Wells again stands in for King, whose arm is not strong enough to guarantee his fitness throughout a meeting at this stage.
On the positive, Kenneth Bjerre returns at No.1 after missing the Cup-tie at King’s Lynn, and the Dane was victorious in Saturday’s GP qualifier at Lonigo, Italy with 13 points.
Wolverhampton are yet to win on the road this season having gone down 39-51 at Swindon on Thursday, but they were successful twice at Leicester last season and skipper Rory Schlein is currently in the form of his career.
The visitors use rider-replacement for Kyle Howarth, who is in the same GP qualifier as Andersen, but with reserve Ashley Morris also enjoying a fine run of results, another tough test is expected.
LEICESTER: Kenneth Bjerre, Kyle Newman, Ricky Wells, Krystian Pieszczek, Richie Worrall, James Sarjeant, Todd Kurtz.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Jacob Thorssell, Kyle Howarth R/R, Cameron Heeps, Sam Masters, Rory Schlein, Nathan Greaves, Ashley Morris.
