Double Header Anticipated Teams
(Posted 11/10/07)

Tigers injury worries have eased and it is hoped that both David McAllan and Robert Ksiezak will be fit for this weekends double header against Birmingham and Stoke.

That leaves Tigers only requiring one guest and as posted earlier in the week this will see Kauko Nieminen return to the stripes for the afternoon to replace Shane Parker.

Rider replacement will operate for Craig Watson so the Tigers will sensibly name Gary Beaton at number 8. Gary rode at number 8 in the meeting against Berwick at the beginning of August and was given 4 outings from which he scored 3+1. He will no doubt hope to get the opportunity to show that he is worth considering for a reserve berth next season.

Ironically Birmingham and Stoke will be facing each other in the Young Shield the night before. The Brummies will be visiting Ashfield for the first time since returning to speedway and their injury problems have been well documented. At present, it is expected that Shaun Tacey and Chris Schramm will guest for them in the main body of the team with John Branney lining up as guest reserve. John only scored 1 from 7 in his last Ashfield appearance in July but Schramm got a respectable 8+1 from 5 on his last visit including beating Shane Parker in heat 15. Tacey's last visit was last May when he scored 5+2 and his recent form has been impressive.

Stoke meantime have obviously lost the services of Rusty Harrison and Glenn Cunningham and will be looking for a guest for the latter. They will be using Tony Atkin the night before but they are believed to have approached about taking the booking for Sunday and are awaiting a reply.