PREVIEW: IPSWICH v PETERBOROUGH (P-KOC)

IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins has called for maximum focus ahead of tonight’s (Thursday) KO Cup semi-final clash with Peterborough.

The Witches host the first leg at Foxhall and had hoped to return to a full one-to-seven, but Erik Riss has failed a fitness test following his absence due to a virus, with rider replacement operating at No.2.

Hawkins is keen that the Panthers should not be under-estimated despite their tough start to the campaign.

Said Hawkins: “It is a chance to make another Cup Final, so we have got to concentrate on these two meetings before we look ahead to the possibility of winning the competition.

“We have got to be fully focused on getting past Peterborough because I feel it is going to be a tough test, and I wouldn’t be duped into thinking it’s not because they have had a tough start to the season.

“They are still a capable team and will look forward to coming to Foxhall, so we need to be fully focused on this semi-final.”

Panthers co-promoter Carl Johnson has stressed the club continue to work on bringing in a full-time replacement for Nicki Pedersen, with those efforts so far having proved unsuccessful. Frederik Jakobsen guests tonight after his meeting at Leicester for King’s Lynn was postponed.

Johnson said: “Of the riders available, some are too expensive, others are not up to the standard we need, and others just do not want to ride in the UK.

“We are still trying as we do not want to continue with guests or rider replacement.”

IPSWICH: Jason Doyle, Erik Riss r/r, Danny King, Keynan Rew, Emil Sayfutdinov, Danyon Hume, Joe Thompson.
PETERBOROUGH: Frederik Jakobsen, Hans Andersen, Benjamin Basso, Richie Worrall, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Ben Cook, Jordan Jenkins.

*LIVE STREAMING: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk