PREVIEW: BERWICK v KENT (Champ/NDL)

BERWICK will be without No.1 Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen for tonight’s (Saturday) home Championship clash with Kent.

Busk Jakobsen is out with illness and the Bandits will use the rider-replacement facility.

The meeting is the first half of a double-header as the clubs also meet in the NDL with both sides chasing the title.

Kent give a debut to new signing Vinnie Foord at reserve but are without Alex Spooner, with rider-replacement in operation.

Manager John Sampford said: “It will be the biggest challenge so far this season for the Royals. We are fully aware that for the majority of our side this will be their first time they’ve even seen, let alone ridden the circuit at Shiefield Park.

“For Dan (Gilkes), who tops the division’s averages and Jake (Mulford) this match will of course follow straight on from their duties for the senior Kings’ side in the preceding Championship match, and on such a big track so many rides can be very draining.

“Both are very fit youngsters but of course being speedway, it’s about both man and machine holding out so that can be an issue on occasions like this.”

BERWICK: Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen R/R, Jye Etheridge, Leon Flint, Dany Gappmaier, Aaron Summers, Kasper Andersen, Kyle Bickley.
KENT: Troy Batchelor, Ben Morley, Paul Starke, Cameron Heeps, Scott Nicholls, Jake Mulford, Dan Gilkes.

BERWICK: Kyle Bickley, Mason Watson, Ben Rathbone, Luke Crang, Greg Blair, Ryan MacDonald, Kieran Douglas.
KENT: Dan Gilkes, Jacob Clouting, Ryan Kinsley, Alex Spooner R/R, Jake Mulford, Vinnie Foord, Josh Warren.