PREVIEW: SCUNTHORPE v POOLE (Champ)

SCUNTHORPE host Poole in the Championship tonight (Friday) with the Pirates looking to secure their place in the top two.

The visitors will book automatic qualification for the play-off semi-finals if they take a point at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

But it’s also an important fixture for the Scorpions who need a win to consolidate their position in the top six after losing at home to Leicester last week.

The home side bring in Kasper Andersen to guest for Tero Aarnio and operate rider replacement for Jordan Palin, whilst Dan Gilkes stands in for injured Pirates reserve Stefan Nielsen.

Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Looking at the table, you would think the top four are nailed on now, in Poole, Redcar, Leicester and Glasgow, which leaves two play-off places up for grabs between, realistically, ourselves, Edinburgh and Birmingham.

“We are very capable of beating Poole and giving Birmingham a real mountain to climb, so I ask for our fans to get behind the boys, be noisy, and hopefully it will be enough to get us over the line and into those play-offs.”

Pirates promoter Danny Ford said: “I know Steve (Worrall) is looking forward to going back to Scunthorpe and we will be hoping he can continue the excellent form he has shown throughout this season.

“I think at times his performances have gone under the radar a little bit, but he has been so consistent meeting after meeting. He will have some wise words to share for certain and we would do well to listen to him.”

SCUNTHORPE: Adam Ellis, Jordan Palin r/r, Theo Pijper, Kasper Andersen, Thomas Jorgensen, Josh MacDonald, Simon Lambert.
POOLE: Rory Schlein, Benjamin Basso, Steve Worrall, Ben Cook, Danny King, Dan Gilkes, Danyon Hume.