RECORD-BREAKER Kenneth Bjerrre has backed Peterborough to make it to the play-offs.

RECORD-BREAKER Kenneth Bjerrre has backed Peterborough to make it to the play-offs.

The Denmark World Cup star smashed the East of England Showground track record for a third time this season in the big win over top four rivals Belle Vue on Friday.

And he’ll be back in the line-up for a second crunch match in 96 hours when second-in-the-table Lakeside are the East of England Showground visitors on Monday night (June 28, 7.30pm).

Bjerre, currently third in the Grand Prix standings and a scoring sensation in his best-ever season, believes the return of fellow Dane Niels-Kristian Iversen will spark the Readypower Panthers into genuine title contenders.

He said: “It makes a big difference having a full team again. You could see the influence that Puk has – we must now push on to make sure we get into the top four.”

Bjerre believes the current squad can take Peterborough all the way and has heaped praise on recent signing Mathieu Tresarrieu.

The Frenchman was a shock arrival after two years out with a knee injury.

Bjerre said: “He’s done really well at home. He came in on a three-point average and is doing much better than that. You can’t ask for anything more.

“It was hard without Niels – rider replacement is a problem if only one other rider is having an off night. It will be good to have the same riders in the pits every meeting.”

Panthers are unbeaten at home this season with eight wins in a row, a record which has lifted them into fourth place in the table.

Bjerre has been an inspirational leader and has been beaten only four times in his last 28 Showground races, and that includes stopping while in front because of a snapped chain.

He’s also lowered the track record three times and equalled it once in his last five home matches!

He’s averaged fractionally under ten points a meeting this season and is fighting it out for top spot in the Elite League charts with Swindon’s Leigh Adams and Wolverhampton’s Freddie Lindgren.

Lakeside went down 39-56 on their last visit at the beginning of the month but actually held their own over the last five heats after a nightmare start saw them trail by 12 at Heat 5.

They look stronger for a meeting – sponsored by professional spray maintenance giants GT 85 – that is officially designated Armed Forces Night. Service personnel and their families will be admitted free on production of an ID card – which will be beamed live to Sky Sports viewers – and it’s an opportunity for Peterborough sports-lovers to show their support for the men and women who are serving the country at home and abroad.

Sweden World Cup star Jonas Davidsson is out with a head injury and has been joined on the sidelines by brother Daniel with a back problem.

It allows them to bring in Eastbourne’s Joonas Kylm�korpi as a guest and they will also operate rider replacement.