British Speedway weekly news round-up.

British Speedway weekly news round-up courtesy of Nigel Pearson at the British Speedway Press office - team by team:

Sky Sports Elite League:

British Speedway weekly news round-up courtesy of Nigel Pearson at the British Speedway Press office - team by team:

Sky Sports Elite League:

Belle Vue Aces:

Belle Vue have finally succeeded in gaining a work permit for Tomasz Jedrzejak.

The Polish youngster was originally turned down because he failed to reach a high enough average last season.

Aces boss John Perrin said: "We never gave up on this and we presented a document to the Department of Employment highlighting what the lad has done in a short space of time. I'm very pleased."

Coventry Bees:

Bees are hoping to build on their stunning win at Eastbourne by ending Wolverhampton's unbeaten record this weekend.

Colin Pratt's side face their bitter rivals in the first midlands derby of the season at Brandon on Saturday night.

Boss Pratt said: "It's always a big occasion when we face Wolverhampton and we'll have to be at our best to beat them.

"But we did it at Eastbourne and we're hopeful of doing it against Wolverhampton."

Eastbourne Eagles:

Eagles boss Jon Cook offered no excuses after seeing his side lose their unbeaten record at the hands of Coventry.

The Bees hit back from a big deficit to shock Eastbourne with a late rally inspired by Lee Richardson who won six raxces.

Cook said: "At the end of the day you have to hand it to Coventry that they built up as the meeting went on and we could not keep up with them. So, no complaints."

Eagles go to Oxford on Friday and then face King's Lynn at Arlington on Saturday.

Ipswich Witches:

Danny Bird is enjoying his double life - with Isle of Wight in the Premier League and Ipswich in the top flight.

Bird is sharing one of the Witches' reserve positions with Leigh Lanham under a new rule aimed at encouraging British youngsters to develop their career.

Bird said: "I am very pleased with life. Riding for Ipswich is sharpening me up for my matches with the Isle of Wight.

"I am benefiting all round. To prove that I can do my job for the club was important to me. Now I think I have done that and I can move up a stage."

King's Lynn:

Nicki Pedersen has handed King's Lynn a massive boost by declaring himself fit to return to the side for Wednesday's home clash with Oxford.

The Danish Grand Prix star has been suffering from a neck injury and has missed the last 10 days.

Knights boss Nigel Wagstaff said: "Nicki is feeling a lot better about things and he's raring to go again which is great news for us."

Oxford Cheetahs:

Cheetahs are hoping to welcome Brian Andersen back into the side for three big meetings.

They go to King's Lynn on Wednesday, Oxford on Thursday and then face Eastbourne at Cowley on Friday.

Boss Colin Meredith is hoping the victory over Ipswich at home last week will kick-start their season.

He said: "We needed that win after losing our first two league matches. Hopefully it has set us up nicely for this week's three meetings."

Peterborough:

Panthers co-promoter Ian Jarvis is hoping for revenge when King's Lynn visit the Showground on Friday.

Peterborough lost 51-41 at the Norfolk Arena on Saturday and were "dismal" according to Jarvis.

He said: "I expect them to come to the Showground and make us work hard but I feel angry about the way we lost on Saturday and I hope it's hurt the pride of the riders as well, that should ensure they are wound up to do well."

Poole:

Magnus Zetterstrom has agreed to return to Poole as a short term replacement for broken ankle victim Greg Walasek.

The Swede will arrive in time for the home meeting with Coventry on Wednesday.

Walasek has travelled home to Poland with a light cast on his ankle and hopes to return in six weeks and could even ride in the opening Grand Prix in Norway on May 11.

Poole have now confirmed there will be no meeting at Wimborne Road on Monday May 6.

Wolverhampton:

David Howe is relishing the prospect of facing his parent club Peterborough at Monmore Green next Monday.

Howe has made a flying start to the season with Wolves, who continued their unbeaten run with a Knockout Cup win over Poole on Monday.

Howe said: "This is the move I've wanted and it's working out well so far. I have to admit it will feel strange riding against Peterborough but I have to be professional and treat it like every other match."

The meeting starts at 7.45pm and will be screened live on Sky Sports.

Premier League round-up:

Arena-Essex Hammers:

Hammers crashed to a heavy 54-36 defeat at Reading in their latest Premier Trophy meeting on Monday. Leeigh Lanham was top scorer for Arena with 13.

Berwick Bandits:

Berwick continue their charge towards the Premier Trophy semi-finals with two big meetings this weekend.

The Bandits face Edinburgh at Shielfield Park on Saturday and then go to Glasgow the following day.

Edinburgh Monarchs:

Monarchs welcome bitter rivals Glasgow to Armadale for a crucial Premier Trophy clash on Friday. And they will be looking to go one better than the opening night of the season when they were held to a 45-45 draw by Glasgow in a Spring Trophy clash.

Exeter Falcons:

Exeter are still looking for their first home win of the season - in their last year at the County Ground.

Falcons lost 48-42 at the hands of Newport on Monday with Roger Lobb and Lawrence Hare scoring 10 each and they have now lost three successive home meetings.

Glasgow Tigers:

Tigers aim to keep their hopes of a Premier Trophy semi-final place alive by taking maximum points from Berwick at Ashfield on Sunday.

Co-promoter Stewart Dickson said: "It's going to be very close to see who makes the semi-finals from the northern section, but a win could go a long way to determining out final position."

Hull Vikings:

Vikings owner Malcolm Wright is predicting a rocky ride when Stoke visit Craven Park on Wednesday. The Vikings gained a 45-45 draw at Stoke in a controversial meeting on Saturday.

Wright said: "Stoke have riders throughout their team who can ride our track very well so we cannot be complacent. They will make it hard for us, I'm sure about that."

Isle of Wight Islanders:

Islanders star Adam Shields has enjoyed a taste of the Elite League with guest bookings for King's Lynn. But the Australian star insists his top priority is to do well for the Isle of Wight.

He said: "I enjoy any guest booking I get as it's all extra experience and maybe one day I will ride full time in the Elite League.

"But my priority now is to do as well as I can for the Isle of Wight and perhaps win a trophy or two!"

Newcastle Diamonds:

Arena Essex star Shaun Tacey has agreed to deputise for the injured Jesper Olsen in Newcastle's mid-week home meeting with Sheffield.

Newport Wasps:

Wasps aim to complete a winning double over rivals Exeter when the sides meet at Hayley Stadium on Sunday.

Boss Tim Stone said: "The fact that they include former Newport riders Lawrence Hare and Bobby Eldridge makes them strong and powerful at Hayley Stadium.

"Michael Coles loves the track, he won our New Year Clasic meeting and our riders will have to be at their best to get the better of him on Sunday."

Reading Racers:

Dave Mullett rolled back the years with a vintage performance to inspire Reading to a superb 54-36 home win over Arena Essex.

Mullett top scored for the Racers with 13-points but he received good backing from his team-mates.

Rye House Rockets:

Rockets earned their first two Premier Trophy points the hard way at Hoddesdon on Saturday night against a pacy Isle of Wight Islanders outfit.

The visitors won nine of the 15 heats but weren't able to offer enough back up to make the heat advantage count and with Rye House's American star Brent Werner holding his nerve in heats 13 and 15 the Rockets came through for the win.

Sheffield Tigers:

Robbie Kessler is returning to his parent club Sheffield - for one night only!

Kessler, who is currently on-loan to Hull, will make a guest appearance for the injured Simon Stead against Newcastle at Owlerton on Thursday.

Tigers promoter Neil Machin said: "Robbie has made a great start to the season and he did well against us for Hull here recently, so he is the logical choice."

Somerset Rebels:

Rebels co-promoter Laurence Rogers is urging fans to get there early when Somerset host close rivals Newport on Friday.

He said: "Having created a new club record attendance in the meeting against Swindon a fortnight ago of just over 2,200 the visit of the Wasps could well break this so I would say get here early!"

Stoke Potters:

Jan Staechmann is facing a race against time to be fit for the Danish rounds of the world championship qualifiers after suffering a broken wrist.

Staechmann crashed heavily when leading a race in Stoke's Premier Trophy defeat at Sheffield.

He will seek further medical advice when the swelling has gone down to establish whether he has a chance of riding in his home country later this month.

Swindon Robins:

Robins are facing up to one of their toughest tests of the season when they face Trelawny at Blunsdon on Thursday.

Oliver Allen said: "Trelawny are definitely one of the strongest teams in the Premier League this year. Like us last year they are powerful right through the line-up."

Trelawny Tigers:

Peter Dearing has warned his Trelawny side against complacency ahead of tonight's (Tuesday) Premier Trophy clash with Somerset at the Moto-Parc.

The Trelawny co-promoter said: "Somerset have a useful side. They include Steve Bishop, the King of St Austell speedway and former Moto Parc track record holder."

Workington Comets:

Comets are on a revenge mission when they face Glasgow at Derwent Park on Saturday.

Boss Ian Thomas said: "We ran them close at their place but I would like to win comfortably on our own track if at all possible.

"Having said that, I was very impressed by George Stancl for them on Sunday, it was the first time I had ever seen the lad ride and he was very good for them."

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