BEN Barker has declared himself fit for action as Ipswich ‘Sackers’ Witches hope to hang on to their 20-point lead at Workington Saturday night in the KO Cup first round, second leg.

BEN Barker has declared himself fit for action as Ipswich ‘Sackers’ Witches hope to hang on to their 20-point lead at Workington Saturday night in the KO Cup first round, second leg.

Barker damaged his wrist at Sheffield in the British semi-final on Thursday night – as his team-mates were putting the Comets to the sword at Foxhall Stadium – but with nothing broken, Barker is prepared to race.

Barker scored three points at Sheffield before he withdrew from the meeting.

It should have put him out of this year’s British Final, but he has since received a wild card entry from the British Speedway authorities.

“My wrist is sore and swollen, but nothing is broken, “ the Cornishman confirmed.

The visitors from Suffolk will need Barker and the whole Witches side to be at their very best tonight as they look to defend their lead and book a second round tie with Somerset Rebels.

Twenty points is a good lead to take to Cumbria, but Ipswich cannot afford to be complacent against a home side notoriously good on their huge Derwent Park circuit.

Again Workington will be without skipper Richard Lawson, but have home-track specialist Craig Cook at No.1.

Cook is likely to score more than the nine points he gleaned at Foxhall on Thursday night and the Witches face a tough test, hoping once more young reserves Adam Ellis and Cameron Heeps can come up trumps.

Witches team: 1 B Barker, 2 R Hawkins, 3 R Tungate, 4 M Risager, 5 L Lanham, 6 A Ellis, 7 C Heeps.