IPSWICH Witches speedway stalwart Chris Louis has not ruled out a return to the track.The 39-year-old has not ridden since breaking his upper arm last April, and has not been included in the Witches side for the 2009 Elite League season.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Witches speedway stalwart Chris Louis has not ruled out a return to the track.

The 39-year-old has not ridden since breaking his upper arm last April, and has not been included in the Witches side for the 2009 Elite League season.

But he is still looking to make a return and he confirmed: “I don't envisage riding this year, but it might still happen. There is slow progress still, but the healing is now speeding up a little.

“If I don't return to the track in 2009 it could happen in 2010.”

Louis will continue in his role as Ipswich manager working with his father, promoter John, and team manager Pete Simmons as well as continuing his TV work with Sky Sports.

And having returned from a lengthy family break in Australia he expressed his delight at the make-up of the Ipswich side.

“It is a super side,” said Louis, who has been an ever-present with Ipswich since 1989.

“The lads will be an entertaining bunch, and they could prove interesting in the early stages.

“We are all looking forward to the challenge and I am planning to help them all.

“Leigh Lanham will be under a certain amount of pressure from fans on his return to his 'home' circuit, but I know he will cope and become a force for us.

“Piotr Swiderski desperately wants to move on from the huge advances he made in 2008, while it is great to have Daniel King back. He will feel he has two points to prove to Ipswich fans - that he has improved since he has been away and that there is still more to come from him.

“And in Polish reserve Dawid Stachyra we have acquired a rider with the right attitude.”

Louis says that the naming of the eighth member of the side - to share a reserve berth with the doubling up Darcy Ward - is not too far away.

British Speedway chairman Peter Toogood has confirmed a new Great Britain manager will be appointed shortly and that the shortlist is down to two.

Former Team GB skipper Louis has distanced himself from the job.

But the ex-world No. 3 says that he knows a man who would do an excellent job.

Louis is privy to the names in the frame and said: “I have not put my name in the ring, but I know of one candidate who would do an excellent job.”

n KING'S Lynn promoter Keith Chapman is predicting big things from exciting young Australian Ward, who will be doubling up with Ipswich Witches in the Elite League. Chapman believes the 16-year-old can achieve an 8.50 average in his first season of Premier League racing for the Stars.

He said: “This young man has a natural ability that I have not seen since the days of Michael Lee and Henka Gustafsson. His style is perfect, so natural and he makes going quick look easy.”