PREVIEW: EDINBURGH v WORKINGTON (CAB DIRECT CHAMP)

EDINBURGH race their opening Cab Direct Championship league fixture at home to Workington tonight (Friday).

The Monarchs reached the play-offs last season and also enjoyed two convincing Armadale victories over the Comets.

However, they will be without No.1 Dan Thompson due to a broken collarbone, with Nick Morris coming in to guest.

Monarchs boss Alex Harkess said: “It is a huge blow to lose Dan but I think Nick is as good a guest as we could have got.

“Workington I think have a strong top four in theory but it’s not as strong as our top five really, which I think is as good as any in the league. If they perform at home as they did last Friday then that will be fine.”

The visitors welcome back Niklas Holm Jakobsen after he crashed out at Berwick a fortnight ago, but they are forced into changes at reserve with Darryl Ritchings and Ryan Ingram replacing Vinnie Foord (injured) and Max Perry (FIM Long Track U23 World Cup), and former Monarchs rider Craig Cook remains on the sidelines.

Manager James Denham said: “Craig is unfortunately still not fit with his rotator cuff injury.

“He is struggling to lift his arm above his head, so we are using rider replacement for him, which is not too bad an option.”

EDINBURGH: Nick Morris, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna, Kye Thomson, Mitchell Cluff, Jordy Loftus.

WORKINGTON: Jonas Jeppesen, Niklas Holm Jakobsen, Craig Cook r/r, Tate Zischke, Troy Batchelor, Darryl Ritchings, Ryan Ingram.

SCB Referee: Chris Gay

*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk/emtv