Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins says Erik Riss was the obvious replacement for Jason Doyle in tonight's Sports Insure Premiership Pairs meeting at Leicester (7.30pm).

Ipswich won last year’s edition over five rounds at different tracks, but this year’s competition has been reduced to a one-off event in the East Midlands.

Hawkins is unable to call upon his top two riders in the averages for this event with current world number four Jason Doyle riding for his Polish side in a re-arranged fixture which takes priority and Emil Sayfutdinov is not contracted to ride in this competition.

Skipper Danny King will lead the side alongside Erik Riss, with Dan Thompson is the ‘Rising Star’ and is guaranteed at least one ride as part of the regulations.

"Danny played a big part in winning the event last year and Leicester is a track he likes, so he will be looking to do the same again this year," said Hawkins.

"We needed to replace Doyley and Erik was the obvious choice after coming back (from injury). He needs laps under his belt, but he is also someone who goes well at Leicester. So if they both produce on the day then we can go well.

"Erik looked like he was lacking race sharpness at Ipswich last week, there were just a couple of things you could see on track where he wasn’t quite putting himself in the right positions whereas normally he would do. The more laps for him, the better.

"We won this event last year and we didn’t get to celebrate because of the weather and rain-offs, so it would be nice to win it this year and be together.

"Consistency is the key; we will probably have to attack it a bit differently this year. I don’t know the stats, but I wouldn’t have thought Doyley dropped many points over the five rounds last year.

"It is an easy format to work out: No last places and you get through. We need to be consistent and team ride together.”

TEAMS

KING’S LYNN: Nicolai Klindt, Thomas Jorgensen, Anders Rowe (RS). Team Manager: David Hoggart

IPSWICH: Danny King, Erik Riss, Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

WOLVERHAMPTON: Sam Masters, Steve Worrall, Leon Flint (RS). Team Manager: Peter Adams

LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Justin Sedgmen, Drew Kemp (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

BELLE VUE: Dan Bewley, Brady Kurtz, Jake Mulford (RS). Team Manager: Mark Lemon

SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Tobiasz Musielak, Dan Gilkes (RS). Team Manager: Simon Stead

PETERBOROUGH: Vadim Tarasenko, Richie Worrall, Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Rob Lyon