Ipswich Witches star Kyle Newman is convinced the best of the 2017 season is still ahead of him.

The 25-year-old from Puddletown, in Dorset, has endured a difficult campaign so far, crashing on opening night for his parent club Poole, pictured above, missing the first few months of the campaign because of it, then being axed by Poole, before joining Leicester, where he crashed in his opening ride for his new Premiership club on Monday night!

Throughout all this time the Witches have stuck by their man, confident he is set to be a key rider as the season unfolds. He is fit to race for the Witches against Newcastle on Thursday night, at Foxhall Stadium, 7.30pm.

Certainly many recent performances for the Witches, including a paid 15-point maximum against Workington last month suggest they are right. Newman feels so, too.

“This is certainly proving to be the toughest season I’ve had,” he said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Kyle NewmanKyle Newman (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

“It’s been one thing after another to be honest but anyone who knows me knows I’ll keep pushing through. I’m keeping positive about everything.

“At Leicester on Monday I pulled out as a precaution really. I banged my funny bone, there was tingling in my arm as I went in the re-run. It was right to get it checked out because I couldn’t race.

“But it’s ok. I’m a bit battered and bruised but I really do think my best is yet to come this season.”

The Witches were one of a number of clubs who were after the former Plymouth No.1’s signature at the start of 2017.

East Anglian Daily Times: Danny King (red helmet) and Kyle Newman congratulate each other on a 5-1 in the opening heat against Workington recently. PICTURE: STEVE WALLER www.stephenwaller.comDanny King (red helmet) and Kyle Newman congratulate each other on a 5-1 in the opening heat against Workington recently. PICTURE: STEVE WALLER www.stephenwaller.com (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

The early crash at Poole meant Newman has been playing catch-up, while losing his Premiership place at Wimborne Road was a blow, being a local lad.

However, the Witches are very much in the Championship mix, currently joint top of the table with Edinburgh and Glasgow.

“We have a great solidarity at Ipswich,” Newman said.

“I know all the riders say it, but it’s just great fun riding for Ipswich. A great bunch of guys, we are so desperate to do well this season and in Chris Louis and Ritchie Hawkins, what better management team could you have?

“The track is improving all the time. We just need to nail a few more away performances. Our home form is great. The play-offs are not a definite yet, but we are sitting nicely.”