Speedway: King's Lynn face local rivals Ipswich
They're hoping to dash the Witches' chance for a top four finish
King's Lynn will be looking to put a big dent in local rivals Ipswich’s play-off ambitions when the sides meet tonight at the Adrian Flux Arena.
The Witches have seen their hopes boosted thanks to a win at Leicester on Monday - and they're gunning for a top four finish.
It’s the Witches’ first visit to Norfolk of the season, and with boss Ritchie Hawkins stating, “I don’t think they (King’s Lynn) will be as determined as we will be,” the Stars will be keen to disprove that theory.
There’s a big clash of the respective No.1s, as Artem Laguta returns to the Stars team and faces fellow countryman Emil Sayfutdinov, with the two having combined for FIM Speedway of Nations glory in the past.
The Stars bring in Peterborough’s Benjamin Basso to guest for the injured Michael Palm Toft.
Meanwhile it will be rider replacement for Thomas Jorgensen, whose season is over due to back and neck injuries sustained in a crash at Edinburgh last Friday.
Jorgensen has been fitted with a neck brace and harness and has been able to walk around his hospital ward, with the hope that he will be able to return home this week.
Manager David Hoggart said: “The new averages are out for August, and we are largely in the same shape because it seems to work well with Nicolai (Klindt) at No.5.
“Ipswich will be tough, but I certainly hope they don’t come and turn us over. I know I’ve been saying that for a month now, and it has been difficult for us.
“Losing Thomas is another blow, but we’ve got to do our very, very best. You could see riders racing for it last week, and hopefully they will make some better starts as that was where we lost out against Peterborough.”