PETERBOROUGH Panthers travel to Eastbourne on Saturday for their first Elite League match of the season against the Eagles.Despite the fact that Arlington is totally different in size to the Showground, the Panthers have done fairly well there in recent years, with two victories and a narrow two point defeat in three of the last four matches.

PETERBOROUGH Panthers travel to Eastbourne on Saturday for their first Elite League match of the season against the Eagles.

Despite the fact that Arlington is totally different in size to the Showground, the Panthers have done fairly well there in recent years, with two victories and a narrow two point defeat in three of the last four matches.

The Eagles got off to a good start in 2009 but have suffered recently with bad injuries to key members of their team.

Ace reserve Simon Gustafsson is currently sidelined with a broken collarbone, while Eastbourne stalwart David Norris badly injured his arm in last Monday's televised match against Swindon.

Eastbourne No.1 and captain Davey Watt is continuing to ride despite suffering with a groin strain and wrist injury, with latest news suggesting he will be riding on Saturday.

Meanwhile, 2009 star Lewis Bridger is also riding through the pain barrier having sustained a nasty cut to his leg, courtesy of his chain breaking in the same match against Swindon.

Cameron Woodward and ex-Panther Lukas Dryml are the only two fully fit Eagles at present and the Arlington outfit have recently signed Chris Schramm as the club's No.8 and he is deputising for the injured Gustafsson.

Panthers meanwhile will be at full strength and with two very livewire and flying reserves in Kenneth Hansen and Claus Vissing are confident that another away victory is definitely achievable.

Kenneth Bjerre loves the place and has posted some really fast times in recent years, while Neils Kristian Iversen, Henning Bager and Claus Vissing all scored well there last year.

Team Manager Trevor Swales said: “I will be looking to capitalise on the problems they are currently having and we should really be looking to come away with the points, Kenneth Bjerre is superb at Eastbourne and it doesn't cause any problems for some of the others such as Henning and Claus.

“It's clearly a good chance for away points and we have to go there with the belief that we can win and come away with all four points.”

Team captain Niels Kristian Iversen said: “It's going to be tough and it's not an easy place to go to but I think the way we are going at the moment we should be able to push them hard.

“I appreciate they are having problems at the moment and we have to start off well but we are now all riding with a lot of confidence and on a high and we should be able to take advantage.”

Owner Rick Frost said: “This is a meeting we really need to win to maintain our progress up the league table. We all know that away wins are harder to come by but nevertheless the way our team is riding we are more than capable of taking the points.

“If we can gate well we have every chance of winning this meeting. I hope many of our fans will make the trip to Eastbourne to support our riders.”

This will be Panthers' 12th official fixture with Iversen, Bjerre and Korneliussen all due to receive new 2009 averages, which will become effective seven days later on May 30.