Shields becomes sixth Monarch.

Edinburgh Monarchs have made in their sixth signing for next season by bringing back promising young Australian Ben Shields.

He had a tough first season in British speedway with Edinburgh - being dropped at one point - but battled through to finish the 2001 season in eye-catching form after getting a recall to take the place of Derek Sneddon.

Shields had this to say about his return to Scotland: "I'm happy to be back and I'm really keen for next season. I will have one good bike with two GM engines, one prepared for Armadale (Edinburgh) and another for the medium to big away tracks, say from Glasgow up to the Isle of Wight".

"That's the set-up Peter Carr uses. I think the team we've got so far looks pretty good as long as the new Dutch boy (Theo Pijper) does well."

On a 4.63 average Shields looks like a good bet to move upwards, and it was always expected that he would be back with the Monarchs for 2002.

Edinburgh are left with 8.22 points left to play with for their final signing. A third heat leader to back up Carr and Frede Schott will be required.