Sussex speedway squad, the Eastbourne Eagles go back to basics as they return to Arlington stadium this Saturday evening (7.30 p.m. start time) preparing to face long time adversaries, the Wolverhampton Wolves.

Following on from the tense excitement generated in last weekend’s epic Knockout Cup showdown against the Lakeside Hammers, one that saw the Sussex club progress to the 2008 competition Final against either the Poole Pirates or Coventry Bees, the Eagles will be looking to maintain the momentum, new found form and steely resolve they demonstrated on that occasion as they switch their thoughts back to Elite League matters.

Scott Nicholls returns to the side, ensuring the Eagles will be at full strength once again, and undoubtedly a much happier Arlington set up after his team mates combined to wipe away the gloom created by back to back home defeats inflicted by Ipswich and Poole recently.     

Although their play off ambitions - barring a travelling victory in last nights (Thursday) scheduled clash at the home of the Peterborough Panthers and a collapse in form of cataclysmic proportions for the fourth placed Witches - are at an end for this season, the Eagles will still be riding for the pride that they restored in such dramatic fashion against the Hammers and also to hone their act for their forthcoming Cup Final appearance.

Equally, the visiting Wolves will have their own reasons for wanting a favourable result as they travel to Sussex tomorrow evening for what will prove their third visit in season 2008, their previous two excursions having witnessed a 53-40 reverse in the ‘A’ fixture between the sides in April and a mammoth 62-30 humbling as the Wolves came calling a second time on Knockout duty in mid June.

Clearly they would wish to atone for those previous disappointments and a good performance would surely inspire confidenc e throughout the order, however the Wolves not having enjoyed the best of fortunes throughout the campaign and currently residing in the cellar position of the Elite League table, their chief focus will surround a win that might see them move away from their lowly position and help escape the ignominy of a role in speedway’s first ever relegation play off.

Ahead of Eagles visit to Peterborough last evening, the Wolves (on 16-points) remained 2-points adrift of the Panthers (18) at the foot of the table, both teams having ridden 25 matches, and 5-points short of Coventry (21) - Eagles opponents of course for their final home league match of the campaign next Saturday – the Bees having contested 26 matches.

With time now running out for the side from Monmore Green, they must start to pick up points, not only around their own circuit (the club having already suffered seven home defeats so far in 2008) but also on their travels.

With Arlington having often been one of their happier hunting grounds in the past, the Wolves will surely target the Sussex venue as their best chance of doing just that. Past performance will surely be forgotten and with the Black Country outfit having re-declared their line up in the hope of sparking a change in fortunes, they will undoubtedly head to Arlington with victory the only thought on their mind.

It is widely known what number one and Captain Fredrik Lindgren is capable of, the Swedish Grand Prix star having enjoyed many a fruitful visit to the Sussex countryside while fellow heat leader Niels-Kristian Iversen has also, often, scored freely at the venue.

Jesper B. Monberg (formerly Jensen) is a recent addition to the side, and he of course, along with team mate David Howe formed part of the Wolverhampton side that broke Eagles hearts following a dramatic aggregate play off victory, and20consequent League Championship success back in season 2002.

More recently, the Wolves have axed under-performing duo, Ales Dryml and Kenneth Hansen from their line up and replaced them with Morten Risager, who had a short spell as an Eagle last year and Fredrik’s brother Ludvig Lindgren. Both youngsters are sure to be all out to impress and with another young Swede rich in potential, Nicolai Klindt, completing their septet, despite their lowly league status, Wolverhampton are surely capable of providing a stern test for the Eagles tomorrow (Saturday) night.      
 
Teams :
 
Eagles : 1. Scott Nicholls, 2. Lewis Bridger, 3. Lee Richardson (Captain), 4. Cameron Woodward, 5. Edward Kennett, 6. Simon Gustafsson, 7. James Brundle
 
Wolves : 1. Freddie Lindgren (Captain), 2. Morten Risager, 3. Niels-Kristian Iversen, 4. David Howe, 5. Jesper B. Monberg, 6. Ludvig Lindgren, 7. Nicolai Klindt