PREVIEW: REDCAR v BIRMINGHAM (KOC)

REDCAR bring in Leon Flint as a guest in what has become the first leg of their KO Cup tie with Birmingham.

Flint replaces Anders Rowe who is on European U19 duty this weekend, whilst both sides operate rider replacement for Jordan Stewart and Valentin Grobauer respectively following Wednesday’s crash in the abandoned meeting at Perry Barr.

Bears co-promoter Jamie Swales said: “It’s always going to be a tough match when the track record holder (Chris Harris) comes to town.

“He might be in the latter part of his career now but Bomber showed on Wednesday he’s still a force at this level, throw our old favourite Erik (Riss) in there and they have a potent spearhead to their team.

“That said, we have full faith in our team’s ability to see us through this tie. It’s funny really to think that we’ve had a sticky start to the season because we’ve let a couple of wins slip through our fingers, but I think the lads are really starting to find their form now.”

Harris said: “Of course it was a shame with everything that went on on Wednesday. But it’s gone now, it was a tough one for the team and we have to start again at their place.

“It’s my job as captain to get the boys motivated again and pass on as much as I can from my experience. They all know what they’re doing though, and as I said at the start of the season I think we’ve got a very good team.”

REDCAR: Charles Wright, Leon Flint, Michael Palm Toft, Jordan Stewart R/R, Jake Allen, James Sarjeant, Jordan Jenkins.
BIRMINGHAM: Chris Harris, Valentin Grobauer R/R, James Shanes, Ashley Morris, Erik Riss, Paco Castagna, Jack Thomas.