Workington Comets have back-to-back meetings this weekend, and again have to ring the changes with their line-ups.
Both matches – at Scunthorpe tonight and at home to Redcar tomorrow – are in the BSN Series and results will determine whether they progress or not.
At Scunthorpe they are defending an eight-point lead from the home leg while in the return with Redcar they are trying to claw back a six-point deficit.
The GT Tyres-sponsored Comets promotion have been busy filling gaps in the team line-ups for both meetings.
Niklas Holm Jakobsen is out with a chipped arm bone, reserve Vinnie Foord has a fractured knee cap while Craig Cook has been ruled out of both weekend fixtures after being advised not to ride due to a suspected rotator cuff injury.
Redcar’s Jake Mulford guests for Workington at number two for the trip to Scunthorpe before lining up against the Comets the following day with the Bears, such is the nature of speedway.
Glasgow Tigers’ reserve Sam Hagon fills in for Foord at the Eddie Wright Raceway this evening, with exhausting last-minute attempts being made by the promotion to find a replacement for Cook to no avail, so they will run rider replacement tonight.
For tomorrow’s meeting against Redcar, Glasgow’s Kyle Howarth with come into replace Cook and the Comets will run rider replacement for Jakobsen and use Ryan Ingram as a guest for Foord.
Again it will be a case of for and against as Ingram is due to face Workington tonight with his club Scunthorpe, who will be led out by number one and skipper Josh Pickering.
Popular former Comet Nicolai Klindt is at number one for the Bears this weekend, with another former Workington rider, Ace Pijper, at six for the visitors.
There will be a permanent new face in the Comets line-up as Max Perry has been signed on at reserve after a mutual decision was reached by the club and youngster Jamie Etherington to part ways earlier in the week.
Barry Collins will continue to deputise tonight at Scunthorpe while James Denham will return to the team manager role tomorrow.
Denham said: “We are keen to hold onto our lead at Scunthorpe, but we know they go well around their place. Securing the aggregate bonus point could prove just as important over the two legs, so that’s firmly in our thinking.
“It’s been a difficult week to try and secure guests for both fixtures, due to clashes and the 8-day rule, so we thank Kyle Howarth, Sam Hagon, Jake Mulford and Ryan Ingram for stepping in.
“We also have been hampered by the late news of a suspected rotator cuff injury to Cook, who was initially expected to be back in the line-up this weekend. We hope to be able to provide more info on that when we have it.
“We do have some positive news with both Foord and Jakobsen who are progressing well and are aiming to be back within the next few weeks.
“We’ll also see Perry make his debut, and he’s eager to get going. We’re confident he’ll come in at reserve and deliver the sort of points we need.
“At Northside, the lads are confident they can turn around the six-point deficit against Redcar Bears. It will be a challenge as they go well around our place, especially their number one Klindt, but the boys know exactly what’s required.
“Across both fixtures, if we pull together like we did last Sunday, we’ll put ourselves in a strong position to come away with positive results – which will put us in a strong position in the northern group of the BSN Series.”
Tonight’s meeting at Scunthorpe will start at 7,30pm while the home meeting with Redcar is a 6pm start.
Line-ups
Friday
Scunthorpe Scorpions:
- Josh Pickering (C) 9.37
- Nathan Ablitt 5.04
- Luke Harrison 5.12
- Connor Mountain 6.00
- Michael Palm Toft 5.67
- Simon Lambert 4.78
- Ryan Ingram 2.00
TM: David Howe
Workington Comets:
- Jonas Jeppesen 8.48
- Jake Mulford (G)
- Troy Batchelor (C) 6.75
- Tate Zischke 5.23
- Craig Cook R/R 8.35
- Sam Hagon (G)
- Max Perry 2.29
TM: Barry Collins
Saturday
Workington Comets:
- Jonas Jeppesen 8.48
- Niklas Holm Jakobsen R/R 5.00
- Kyle Howarth (G)
- Tate Zischke 5.23
- Troy Batchelor (C) 6.75
- Ryan Ingram (G)
- Max Perry 2.29
TM: James Denham
Redcar Bears:
- Nicolai Klindt 8.47
- Jake Mulford 4.48
- Jordan Jenkins 5.65
- Jake Allen – 6.47
- Jason Edwards (C) 6.80
- Ace Pijper 4.32
- Jody Scott 4.13
TM: Jade Mudgway
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