SCOTT Nicholls has warned his Ipswich team-mates ahead of tonight’s Elite League trip to Eastbourne, not to take anything lightly.

The Eagles are the bookies’ favourites for the wooden spoon in 2010, and have already failed to win either of their opening two home fixtures of the campaign to Swindon and Lakeside.

However Nicholls says the Witches must be on their guard.

“It’s easy to make predictions,” Nicholls said.

“But Eastbourne are capable of beating anyone on their day, especially at home.

“We are going to have to be at our best to get anything out of the meeting. In saying that, there is no reason we can’t get a point or two.”

Nicholls rode a full season for the Eagles, but admits he likes the track no more than any other.

“I’m not worried about any track,” the Ipswich No.1 added.

“I’ve always ridden every track in the same manner, and not thought about it.”

But there is little doubt the technical Arlington circuit can be tricky, although the Witches must seriously be gunning for as many points as possible tonight.

Eastbourne, however, do have their No.1 rider missing, although his replacement is pretty handy too.

Matej Zagar, whose final heat victory snatched a last-gasp draw for the Sussex side against the Lakeside Hammers on Good Friday, is absent contesting the Slovenian National Championship.

So the Eagles management have moved swiftly to enlist the services of Chris Holder, Poole Pirates bang in form Australian, as a guest replacement for their recent signing.

Hopes are prevalent in Sussex that Holder, Arlington’s joint track record holder, together with an improved showing from the remainder of the Eastbourne septet will provide the necessary firepower sufficient to see off the challenge of the Witches.

With Holder considered a more than adequate guest for the absent Zagar however, co-promoter Mike Bellerby is confident that fortunes are just about to turn for his side. “We don’t feel that we could have got anyone better than the Arlington joint track record holder to aid our cause against the Witches” he commented.

“With Lukas Dryml looking to make his return and our reserves riding as they are, I am sure that improved fortunes for the rest of the lads will spur us to victory on Saturday” he concluded.

Tonight’s teams

Eagles: 1. Chris Holder (Guest for Matej Zagar), 2. Simon Gustafsson, 3. Lukas Dryml, 4. Cameron Woodward (Captain), 5. Joonas Kylmakorpi, 6. Ricky Kling, 7. Dawid Lampart.

Witches: 1. Scott Nicholls, 2. Claus Vissing, 3. Daniel King (Captain), 4. Oliver Allen, 5. Robert Miskowiak, 6. Dawid Stachyra, 7. Carl Wilkinson.

Get all the updates and the usual Bacon wit! On Twitter.com Mike_Bacon tonight, live from 7.30pm at Arlington.