PREVIEW: OXFORD v SCUNTHORPE (CAB DIRECT CHAMP PO SF)

OXFORD will again be without injured duo Jordan Jenkins and Cameron Heeps when they host Scunthorpe in the first leg of their Cab Direct Championship play-off semi-final tonight (Wednesday).

Both riders suffered falls in the closing stages of last week’s Cup win over Redcar, and the Cheetahs have elected to operate rider replacement for Heeps with Joe Thompson coming in to guest for Jenkins.

Connor Coles also guests at reserve for the hosts in what has been a long-term injury position first affecting Henry Atkins and then his replacement Adam Roynon.

The Scorpions have no injury concerns and travel with a full-strength side, as they look to improve on a 20-point defeat on their previous visit to Cowley earlier this season.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “The key is to approach it like a normal meeting – my job is to make sure the lads are still enjoying themselves and having fun, while remaining focused.

“I feel we’ve got the momentum behind us, and we kept that up by overcoming early misfortune to push Glasgow all the way in Scotland.

“Scunthorpe are a good side and it won’t be easy, but we know that we can do the job and get through to the Grand Final.”

Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We will aim be to keep it as close as we can at Oxford, although I don’t want to set a target.

“It’s 30 races and it’s who’s winning at the end of the 30 that matters, nothing else. It’s not just about the first leg scoreline.

“We’ll be confident, Oxford will be confident, there’s going to be a winner and there’s going to be a loser, that’s sport, so bring it on.”

OXFORD: Sam Masters, Joe Thompson, Cameron Heeps r/r, Ashton Boughen, Scott Nicholls, Luke Killeen, Connor Coles.
SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft, Connor Mountain, Simon Lambert, Jake Allen, Kyle Howarth, Nathan Ablitt, Luke Harrison.
SCB Referee: Seth Perkin

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