The long and winding road of the Premier League campaign sees Reading in action at Scunthorpe and Stoke on 5 and 6 September, respectively.

Friday's trip to the Eddie Wright Raceway represents the Racers' first-ever visit to Scunthorpe, and they will be looking to carry the momentum of Monday's home win over the Scorpions into the fixture.

Scunthorpe are enjoying their initial term of Premier League activity, having spent the previous three seasons racing out of their self-constructed home at Normanby Road in the Conference League.

Turning to Saturday's meeting at Stoke, and home promoter Dave Tattum has worked hard to establish the club on a sturdy footing in recent years. Indeed, the Loomer Road circuit is now renowned for serving-up some of the best racing in British speedway.

The Potteries outfit has endured a difficult season, though, with the undoubted low point occurring on 26 May, when their No. 1, Lee Complin, was badly injured in a road traffic accident.

At the time of going to press, Scunthorpe occupied tenth position in the league standings, having won eleven matches at home and two away.

Meanwhile, Stoke were just one position off the bottom rung, with only Mildenhall below them. The Potters' record this season shows six wins and a draw at home, plus a solitary success on the road at Birmingham on 6 August.

Reading have booked in Buxton's Ben Taylor to fill the No. 6 berth for both meetings. The youngster certainly has a speedway pedigree, being the grandson of Jack Hughes and the great nephew of Arthur Wright, both of whom were household names in the sport during the 1950s.

Chris Mills, who is ever-present this season, has been named in the Racers' line-up for the two matches, although this is pending his fitness following his heavy fall in the initial running of heat fourteen in the home match against Scunthorpe on Monday.

Fortunately, the popular Mills suffered no broken bones in the accident, but sustained bad bruising to his lower back. The rider was clearly in a lot of pain and will decide later in the week if he is fit to undertake the racing trip. Should he not, then Reading would have the option of the rider replacement facility in his absence.

Said promoter Malcolm Holloway: "You can never tell how away meetings might pan out, but the lads are in a positive frame of mind following the victory at Mildenhall and the home success over the Scorpions.

"Psychologically, that is a big help, as so much about speedway is to do with how riders are feeling in their minds. I'm confident that we can get something from these matches, as we want to finish out last Smallmead campaign on a high."