PREVIEW: OXFORD v REDCAR (Cab Direct Champ)
OXFORD kick off their Cab Direct Championship campaign with a home clash against Redcar at Cowley tonight (Wednesday).
Both clubs have enjoyed encouraging results in other competitions at the start of the season, and are expected to be firmly in the race for play-off places.
Cheetahs star Lewis Kerr is ruled out with concussion following his crash last week, with Leon Flint booked to guest, whilst the Bears bring in Tom Brennan to replace Erik Riss who is still out with illness.
Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “There is a real togetherness about the squad and everyone is willing to chip in and help each other out which was evident in our KO Cup meetings against Edinburgh last week.
“But now the slate is cleaned, and every team begins level on points with one goal of reaching the end-of-season play-offs.
“It’ll be a close meeting, our priority is to first and foremost win and then look to build up a lead big enough which we can defend to pick up the aggregate point when we race away at Redcar in July.”
Bears youngster Connor Bailey said: “We have been in good form as a team and we have had some good results, so let’s keep it going!
“Their riders are quite strong and you can’t count anyone out on their home track. I think they are going to try and hit us hard and early with their heat-leaders and then get their reserves working hard, so we have to try and limit them to the best of our ability.”
OXFORD: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps, Leon Flint, Jordan Jenkins, Scott Nicholls, Henry Atkins, Luke Killeen.
REDCAR: Tom Brennan, Connor Bailey, Charles Wright, Danyon Hume, Danny King, Jason Edwards, Jake Mulford.
