Sussex speedway squad Eastbourne Eagles head back to Arlington stadium this Saturday evening (7.30 p.m. start time) when they will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of last Monday night’s home reverse against the Poole Pirates.

Once again however, the task they face is not an easy one as heading to Sussex and undoubtedly hoping to capitalise on the Eagles, hopefully temporary, lull are long time Suffolk rivals, the Ipswich Witches.

Edward Kennett returns to the Eastbourne side and the Sussex supporters will no doubt be in celebratory mood following his qualification for the next stage of the 2009 World Championship competition, Kennett having finished fifth in Abensberg (Germany) in the early part of the week, the meeting having been won with a 15-point maximum by Poole’s absentee from the Monday night contest, former Eagle Davey Watt.

However, the good news of Kennett’s return will undoubtedly be tempered with the realisation that skipper Lee Richardson faces an extended spell on the sidelines having, not only sustained a wrist injury, but subsequently aggravated it in recent meetings at Belle Vue and then again in the home clash against the Pirates.

Early reports suggest anything up to a two month lay off for the England international, with specialist advice likely to determine a more definite period, the apparent folly of trying to ride through the injury having already been brought home starkly to the brave but ultimately impulsive Richardson.

With James Brundle still also a week or so away from a return to action and Eagles number eight Brent Werner unlikely to be available for tomorrow (Saturday’s) match up due to his Premier League club Somerset being in action at Rye House. Newport’s Nick Simmonds is now the likely candidate to fill the vacant berth for the Eagles weekend itinerary which also includes a visit to both Purfleet this evening (Friday) where they face the Lakeside Hammers as well as last nights encounter at Ipswich’s Foxhall Heath stadium.

The Witches will also take to the shale with key riders missing, however, all depending on the identity of the guest rider they are able to press into action, Wolves Fredrik Lindgren having been mooted as a possibility, they might not find themselves significantly weakened.

The Suffolk side will also utilise the rider replacement facility for Tobias Kroner who will be absent fulfilling overseas commitments. Thanks to a rip roaring start to the campaign, the promising young German, who was until a week ago in the teams reserve berth, has risen to second place in the Witches averages and therefore each of his team mates will be eligible to take one of his scheduled outings.

With talent such as former Grand Prix exponent Jarek Hampel, fellow Pole Robert Miskowiak, both of whom having enjoyed productive performances at Arlington as well as popular Australian Steve Johnston, himself twice voted Eastbourne’s most impressive visitor in the past (though admittedly some years ago), in the side few can argue that Ipswich possess the personnel to test Eastbourne to the limit.

However, just as Poole reserve Adam Skornicki dominated proceedings and effectively proved the Pirates match winner at Arlington last Monday, a further scan down the Witches line up could prompt a measure of anxiety within the Eagles camp.

A further Ipswich Pole, Piotr Swiderski who has enjoyed a superb run of form during the early weeks of the 2008 campaign, drops temporarily into the lower order of the side due simply to the fact that he hasn’t contested sufficient matches to gain a new average. With the Witches able to call upon a rider of Swiderski’s unquestioned ability no less than seven times if the need arises, the Suffolk management will surely be hoping that the former Peterborough rider can fulfil a similar role to that played out so effectively by Skornicki.

Pride will undoubtedly be the watch word for the Eagles however, and with theirs having received a severe bruising against the Pirates, they will surely be all out to secure that morale boosting victory, one that would not only lift spirits but one that would also see them keep pace with the likes of Swindon, Poole and Lakeside at the head of the Elite League table.
 
Teams :
 
Eagles : 1. Scott Nicholls, 2. Lewis Bridger, 3. Rider Replacement for Lee Richardson, 4. Cameron Woodward, 5. Edward Kennett, 6. Simon Gustafsson, 7. (Guest for) James Brundle
 
Witches : 1. Rider Replacement for Tobias Kroner, 2. Robert Miskowiak, 3. (Guest for) Chris Louis, 4. Jarek Hampel, 5. Steve Johnston, 6. Piotr Swiderski, 7. Chris Schramm