LEICESTER expect to welcome back Swedish star Kim Nilsson for their televised SGB Premiership trip to Somerset on Monday.
The Watling JCB Lions are on a high after their sensational win over a powerful Rye House side on Saturday, and now face visits to the Oaktree Arena and then King’s Lynn on Wednesday prior to hosting Belle Vue next weekend.
Nilsson has been sidelined since suffering a broken arm in the dramatic clash with Swindon last month, ironically another fixture shown live by BT Sport.
But he was a track reserve for Saturday’s Swedish Grand Prix at Malilla and is now set to return to league racing – although Lions boss Jim Lynch has put Scott Nicholls on stand-by for a guest appearance should Nilsson have suffered any reaction to his injury.
Lynch has also clarified the position regarding Polish youngster Pawel Przedpelski, who made his comeback in his home country last weekend but again misses out on a Lions fixture.
Lynch explained: “I know this is something people have been complaining about, but the situation is actually a very genuine one.
“What has happened is that he’s gone back to ride for Torun, and done okay, but afterwards he’s had to go to the doctor, and medically they are very proficient there.
“The doctor has said that he doesn’t want him flying, because with his injury there’s a chance that he may get a blood clot.
“It’s a genuine reason, I can assure everyone that might doubt it of that. We would much rather have him riding, but hopefully we will see him back soon, maybe against Belle Vue or maybe the next week.”
Rider-replacement operates for Przedpelski at Somerset, and with Lasse Bjerre continuing to miss out due to a knee injury, the Lions bring in Paul Starke – who was axed by the Rebels as part of a series of early-season team changes – to guest against his old club.
The home side are without Jake Allen due to a wrist injury, with hugely talented British youngster Dan Bewley in as a guest, whilst the Rebels will also be hoping No.1 Josh Grajczonek is fit to resume after a crash at Sheffield last Thursday.
Lions suffered their heaviest defeat of the season in their previous visit to the Oaktree Arena, going down 30-61 in June, and since then the Rebels have won at both Poole and King’s Lynn to move into play-off contention.
But they were run close at home by a weakened Wolverhampton side last Wednesday before emerging victorious by a single point.
Lynch added: “We knew before Saturday that we were facing a really tough week, starting with the Rye House match, and there will have been people saying we could lose all four matches.
“But after winning that one, you suddenly start thinking that anything is possible. Somerset are a good side now and it’s obviously going to be tough, but that result at the weekend is such a boost for everyone.”
SOMERSET: Josh Grajczonek, Cameron Heeps, Charles Wright, Patrick Hougaard, Richard Lawson, Dan Bewley, Lewis Kerr.
LEICESTER: Kim Nilsson, Erik Riss, Paul Starke, Pawel Przedpelski R/R, Danny King, Kyle Newman, Josh Bates.
