HOWARTH TO LEAD LIONS

LEICESTER boss Stewart Dickson has handed Kyle Howarth the captain’s armband.

Howarth, 27, has made the switch to the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena for the new Championship season and takes over the role vacated by Scott Nicholls who led the Lions to the title in 2019.

Dickson said: “When we knew Scott wasn’t coming back for 2020, I was mindful that I needed to get someone who would be able to replace him in that job.

“I knew Kyle had done it at Sheffield and he’d also guested for us in 2019 and I was very happy with what I saw there, not just on the track but off it with how he worked with the other riders.

“He’s the right fit for me, and it won’t affect him on track like it can with other riders, so he’s the choice. I know he’s well respected and honest, and I’m sure he’ll do a good job.”