Lions still missing Aussie star
MORRIS SUFFERED CONCUSSION RACING FOR WOLVERHAMPTON
LEICESTER are entering the final phase of the speedway season tonight with an away fixture at Scunthorpe before facing the Glasgow Tigers at home tomorrow, writes Alan Jones.
It is the start of seven matches in the next 16 days and none come more important than these first two back-to-back matches.
The Lions have high hopes that they will qualify for the play-off finals later this month, but are still without Nick Morris, their highscoring Australian rider.
Morris sustained slight concussion as a result of a crash while racing for his Premiership club Wolverhampton last week.
As a result, he has to serve a nineday fixed period of suspension before being allowed by the governing body to return to the team. Watling JCB Lions co-promoter David Darcy said: “It is a blow that we are without Nick (Morris) for these two vital matches and, on top of that, Scunthorpe is one of his former tracks which he knows so well and expected to score plenty of points at. “Both matches are going to be challenging but nevertheless we are going all-out to win as we need the match points to keep us in the chase for a top six finish which will guarantee us a place in the play-offs. “We will operate with a guest and Stewart Dickson has chosen wisely from the pool of riders who are available and fit within Nick’s current match average.” Aaron Summers takes the place of Morris tonight at Scunthorpe and Steven Worrall comes into the side to face Glasgow tomorrow night at Leicester.
“Scunthorpe have been the surprise team of the season so far,” said Darcy.
“Apart from losing to us in the cup in May they are unbeaten at home in the league so far.
“Glasgow will test us to the full, I am sure of that, and it is a must win fixture against the team we beat in the final to win the league title in 2019, so there will be an extra incentive for the visitors to do well.
“We have to be on our guard and at our best for this one, too.” Meanwhile, Scunthorpe also have injury worries.
Jordan Palin is ruled out with a fractured collar-bone, while Tero Aarnio is unable to travel back from his home in Finland in time.
Newcastle’s Ben Barker will deputise for Aarnio and Palin’s teammates will replace him in the heats he is due to ride in.
Glasgow are in the midst of bringing in a new rider ahead of the playoffs but it is understood that their new signing’s visa has not yet been received.
In his place, the Scottish club have called upon a former Lions rider, Jack Thomas, to guest for them.
We are going all-out to win as we need the points to keep us in the chase for a top six finish
David Darcy
Teams for Saturday
Leicester: 1. Hans Andersen, 2. Dan Thompson, 3. Steven Worrall, 4. Ryan Douglas, 5. Kyle Howarth, 6. Joe Thompson and 7. Zaine Kennedy
Glasgow: 1. Craig Cook, 2. Broc Nicol,
3. Tom Brennan, 4. Sam Jensen,
5. Ricky Wells, 6. Jack Thomas and
7. Connor Bailey