PREVIEW: NORTHAMPTON v LEICESTER (ROWE MOTOR OIL PREM)
NORTHAMPTON will have two debutants when they face Leicester in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at the Shaleway tonight (Thursday).
The Foxes have recruited Danish racer Jonas Jeppesen following the broken ankle sustained by Matej Zagar earlier this month, whilst fellow countryman Niels-Kristian Iversen also makes his first appearance after his UK season was delayed by a punctured lung.
Sam Hagon stands in for the home side at reserve with Luke Harrison away on FIM Speedway of Nations 2 duty in Prague, whilst the Lions bring in Lewis Kerr to guest for Dan Thompson who is out with a broken collarbone.
Northampton manager Chris Adams said: “It feels good in camp that apart from our Rising Star change we are now our complete team and can focus on moving forward this year.
“It’s been a tough old start for the guys, who have battled hard so far mostly on the away road, but I’m hoping they get dialled in early and start building on making our home circuit somewhat of an advantage to riding at home.
“Everything takes time and now we are a full side again we just need a bit of patience and time to get settled. Results will come our way, and I’m hoping this meeting will be the start of that.”
Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “We could have operated rider replacement for Dan, but I felt having a seven-man team away from home on a track we haven’t been to is the right call.
“Obviously we want to secure the aggregate point, but we know there could be more there for us, as we can see from the scores so far at Northampton that there are clearly quality riders there who haven’t quite adapted yet to their surroundings.
“I’m sure that will come in time, but I do think there is an opportunity to maybe grab more than just the aggregate point, and that will be the talk on the track walk.”
NORTHAMPTON: Jaimon Lidsey, Troy Batchelor, Jonas Jeppesen, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Nicolai Klindt, Kye Thomson, Sam Hagon.
LEICESTER: Ryan Douglas, Lewis Kerr, Nick Morris, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Dan Gilkes.
SCB Referee: Wayne Jarvis
*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.northamptonfoxestv.com
