BACK in the saddle after a six-week absence, returning star Tommy Allen is looking forward to this weekend's Northern Tour. Allen scored six points for the Rockets in his comeback against Sheffield and is confident his inured elbow is now fully healed and ready to face a tough three days on man and machine.

BACK in the saddle after a six-week absence, returning star Tommy Allen is looking forward to this weekend's Northern Tour.

Allen scored six points for the Rockets in his comeback against Sheffield and is confident his inured elbow is now fully healed and ready to face a tough three days on man and machine.

“You don't get the luxury of going back to the workshop, sometimes you're literally working on the side of the road,” said Allen.

“The boys have put a lot of time and effort into their machinery this year and so hopefully we will be OK.”

Starting at reigning Premier League champions Edinburgh on Friday night, Allen admits that a good result against the Monarchs could be vital to the success of the tour.

“Mental approach is the biggest thing,” he said.

“Edinburgh is a track we've always done well at but it's been one of our nearly tracks.

“To go there and win would be a great boost for the whole tour.”