Former Ipswich ‘Sackers’ Witches stars Leigh Lanham and Taylor Poole will be back at Foxhall on opening night.

The two popular racers are included in Morten Risager’s Testimonial meeting after Leicester riders Mads Korneliussen and Patrick Hougaard had to withdraw when their Elite League club Leicester and Premier League Peterborough arranged a challenge meeting on the same night, Saturday, March 22.

Despite Risager’s initial disappointment that fellow Danes Hougaard and Korneliussen were unavailable, the Ipswich man is delighted that Lanham and Poole, who will be both riding for Sheffield in 2014, have agreed to race.

“Taylor and Leigh are both very popular at Ipswich and I’m really happy they have agreed to race,” Risager said.

“Both have been team-mates with me at Ipswich and I know the Foxhall public will look forward to seeing them race again. I thank them for racing for me.

“I was disappointed the meeting at Leicester was arranged and took Mads and Patrick out of my field, especially as my date had been long in the calendar. In my opinion it is a bit disrespectful.

“I only get one chance at a Testimonial meeting and I like to think I’ve always put British Speedway first, ridden wherever and whenever asked by British promoters. Still, these things happen.

“Nearly everything is ready for the big night now and I can’t wait for it to start.”

Alan Jones, press officer at Leicester Speedway said: “A challenge meeting fixture has been in our fixture list since January 26,

“We were always happy for Mads and Patrick to race in Morten’s Testimonial but it was under the proviso that if Leicester had a meeting on that day, they would race for their contracted club, which is Leicester.

“We have been in discussion with a few clubs for a while to have this meeting on Saturday, March 22, but we could only confirm this week. We hope Morten has a great night at Ipswich for a deserved Testimonial.”

The Witches season starts to warm up next week.

On Monday there is press and practice day, while on Wednesday the riders will be having more practice before the tapes go up at 7.15pm on Saturday for Morten’s big night.

The Witches first team meeting of the season is at home to Rye House on Thursday, March 27, in a League Cup fixture.

Witches No.1 Richie Worrall and Risager will both be riding in Korneliussen’s Testimonial meeting at King’s Lynn this Sunday, 3pm start.