LIONS BRING BACK THOMPSON

LEICESTER will make a team change ahead of their next ROWE Motor Oil Premiership fixture with Joe Thompson returning to the Rising Star position in place of Dan Gilkes.

Thompson spent a 28-day stint with the Lions earlier this season when Gilkes required more time to complete his recovery from a long-term knee injury, and subject to BSPL approval he will be back in the side for the home clash with Sheffield next Thursday (May 28).

Manager Stewart Dickson said: “There’s no lack of ability with Dan but I do feel there’s a lack of confidence at the moment, and unfortunately the Premiership season is too short to allow it to run away from us.

“I want to make it clear, though, that he is not being made a scapegoat for (Thursday’s) defeat at Northampton. That was a collective night of falls, errors and mechanical issues across the team, and I am watching one or two other riders where we do have fitness concerns.

“I very much appreciate Joe agreeing to come back in, because he could have taken umbrage after doing very well only for us to bring Dan back, as we honoured the agreements we had previously made.

“I think it speaks volumes of Joe that there were no gripes or ill-will, he agreed straight away as I expected him to, and I do think I’ve been pretty up-front and straight with both riders throughout.”