GILKES BACK FOR LIONS

LEICESTER have confirmed Dan Gilkes will return to their line-up for the start of their league campaign next week.

The Lions host Northampton in their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership opener on Bank Holiday Monday (May 4, 7.30pm) with Gilkes taking over in the Rising Star berth.

He had missed their successful KO Cup group campaign as he required more time to recover from the knee injury which curtailed his racing last year, with Joe Thompson having stepped in as a 28-day replacement.

Lions manager Stewart Dickson said: “Dan made a sensible decision this time last month as he knew he wasn’t quite ready, and the extra month has helped him out.

“He’s been back on a bike as he needed to know for sure himself, as did we, that he would be able to come back to the level we all need him to be at.

“It will be good to have our full team for the start of the league campaign, but I would like to place on record our thanks to Joe for doing a splendid job as cover.

“It’s been his best run yet in the Premiership and he has certainly played his part in helping us reach the Knockout Cup Final.”