Peterborough Panthers remain upbeat ahead of their crunch relegation clashes with Wolverhampton next week, despite being rocked by the news that Captain and Number 1, Ryan Sullivan will take no part in the meetings.

Promoter Mick Bratley said: "Of course having Sullivan missing is a disappointment, but we have booked a very capable guest in Rory Schlein, indeed I would think Rory would outscore Sullivan at Monmore Green on current form, although would possibly not score as highly at the Showground, so it is really swings and roundabouts.  Much has been made in the press about Sullivan's contract with Peterborough having ended with our last league fixture; this is clearly not the case, as a rider who signs a contract for a club in the UK commits for that particular season or until he is declared out of a clubs 1 to 7.

I have read that Chris Van Straten is looking for a 14 point advantage next Tuesday night to bring to the Showground on the following Thursday, and I think he is underestimating how powerful we have been at home during September, which included a 19 point thrashing of the Wolves, in a meeting which our team took their foot off the gas half way through.  I have also read that apparently Chris is getting his boys together ahead of the clashes, on Monday night and taking them for a meal, I reckon it will be a bit like the last supper for them!!

All of our riders are supremely confident; we gave them the choice of practicing next Monday night after our landlords at the Showground very kindly offered the opportunity, but the boys have told Team Manager Trevor Swales and myself that it would not be required; they are ready for action and ready to do the business.

As neither of these meetings are being broadcast on TV, Monmore Green, I am sure, will be a cauldron on Tuesday night, but we are all hoping that their will be a sea of red and black from our travelling supporters, to give our boys the boost they may require.  At the Showground on Thursday, I am looking forward to seeing the Peterborough Speedway public turn out in force for what is arguably the biggest Speedway night for us in Peterborough since the 2006 championship victory.  The relegation matches have caught the imagination of the local media, we are being broadcast live by our friends from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and I would urge all our supporters to get to the stadium earlier than they normally would."