CHEETAHS PRIMED FOR NICHOLLS RETURN

OXFORD boss Peter Schroeck says former skipper Scott Nicholls will receive a warm welcome back at Cowley on Wednesday when he appears in the colours of his new club Plymouth.

Schroeck has confirmed Cheetahs were not willing to rip up their play-off chasing side where multiple changes would have been required to accommodate Nicholls, who has been out with a serious shoulder injury since last October.

But he did slot in for the Gladiators as part of a double switch after the injury to Daniel Klima, and he combined with Nicolai Klindt for three 5-1s on his Cab Direct Championship comeback at Edinburgh last Friday.

Schroeck said: “We looked whether we could have fitted Scott back into the Cheetahs’ side, but it would have meant taking at least three riders out of the team to accommodate him.

“There’s going to be a lot of focus on his return to the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday, and it’s also bound to create a lot of media interest. That’s only right for a rider of his calibre – as a record-breaking seven-time British Champion and former Grand Prix star.

“Heat 1 on Wednesday will see Scott go head-to-head with Sam Masters, and that will excite a lot of people. Scott deserves a packed-out crowd to see him back at Cowley.”