PETERBOROUGH continue with their search for a much-needed victory when they host Eastbourne at the Showground on Friday (7.30pm).

PETERBOROUGH continue with their search for a much-needed victory when they host Eastbourne at the Showground on Friday (7.30pm).

The Readypower Panthers have only won two of their twelve fixtures this season – one of which was against the Eagles in early April – and urgently need another one as they attempt to move away from the foot of the Elite League table.

The East of England Showground has been a fortress for the Panthers in recent seasons but this year they have suffered four defeats from their six home matches and know they must get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

They’ll have to face the Sussex side without Patrick Hougaard though after the Dane was left hospitalised on Monday night having suffered concussion in a heavy fall at Belle Vue. Richard Lawson comes in as guest at reserve with the 2012 Panther in good form this season for both Lakeside and Workington.

Also missing will be Linus Sundstrom who is still feeling the effects from a crash in last weekend’s Grand Prix qualifier in Austria. The Swede then suffered another fall at Belle Vue and now looks set to take a break for a week. As a result Panthers will now operate rider-replacement against the Eagles.

Peterborough are otherwise unchanged from the side that battled gamely at Belle Vue before losing by eight-points. Ryan Sullivan will make his home debut in his new managerial role after joining the club last week as a rider coach and technical advisor.

Eastbourne, meanwhile, are expected to have six of their regular seven riders on show, with former Eagle Lewis Bridger called-up as a guest for Adam Shields who quit the sport last month for the second time in just over a year.

Panthers co-promoter Trevor Swales said: “Eastbourne are in town on Friday and although they don’t have a particularly good record at the Showground they will pose a real threat.

“You can’t underestimate any team in the league and it’s vital for us to get a win to kick-start the season.

“It’s unfortunate that we have a couple of injuries but we are confident Richard Lawson can do a good job as a guest in place of Patrick. He’s been riding well this season and knows the Showground track from his previous time with us.

“As for Linus, he is still feeling the effects of his two crashes in the past week and doesn’t want to let us down when he is nowhere near fit enough to ride.

“Rider-replacement does put a bit more pressure on the rest of the side with everyone including Kenneth Bjerre eligible to take an extra ride, but we’re at home and we’re going for the win.”

PETERBOROUGH: Kenneth Bjerre, Nicolai Klindt, Ryan Fisher, Linus Sundström R/R, Kenni Larsen, Dakota North, Richard Lawson.

EASTBOURNE: Bjarne Pedersen, Simon Gustafsson, Lukas Dryml, Timo Lahti, Cameron Woodward, Lewis Bridger, Denis Gizatullin.