IPSWICH Witches must see out the 2007 speedway season without former Grand Prix rider Jesper B Jensen.The 29-year-old damaged muscles around the rib area while attempting a comeback with Ipswich in the home defeat by Peterborough last Thursday.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Witches must see out the 2007 speedway season without former Grand Prix rider Jesper B Jensen.

The 29-year-old damaged muscles around the rib area while attempting a comeback with Ipswich in the home defeat by Peterborough last Thursday.

Now the Dane has been given a new medical certificate that will see him miss the next few weeks.

Jensen's place in the Witches side for tonight's Sky Sports Elite League meeting against Eastbourne Eagles at Foxhall Stadium (start 7.30pm) will be taken by the use of the rider replacement facility.

Jensen managed just one point against Peterborough, and said: “I rode the previous night on a big continental track and was okay.

“But the tight bends around Foxhall have damaged the muscles around the ribs I hurt a few weeks ago.”

Ipswich have lost their last 10 league meetings, and will be keen to stop the rot against an Eagles side that will be missing world champion-elect Nicki Pedersen.

The Dane is officially on the injured list after a big crash in the Polish Grand Prix on September 8. But he is expected to take his place in Saturday's Slovenian GP when he should clinch his second world crown. Coventry's Rory Schlein was pencilled in take Pedersen's place tonight, but he is due to ride at Foxhall next Thursday in the Craven Shield and is ineligible under the eight-day rule.

Eastbourne, who have been without long-term injury cases Dean Barker and David Norris for most of the season, plan to bring in a Premier League rider with an average up to six points to cover for Roman Povazhny .

The Russian, who has recently returned to the Eastbourne side, is riding in a league meeting in his home land.

Included at reserve is another new signing; Simon Gustafsson, who is the son of former top Swede Henka.

Ipswich conceded a 5-1 in the final heat to lose the corresponding B fixture at Arlington by one point.

So a win tonight should see them collect three points and overtake third-from-bottom Eastbourne on points difference. But it is only likely to be a temporary move up as the Sussex-based side has meetings in hand over the Witches.

Eastbourne were beaten home and away by Lakeside last week in the Knock-Out Cup and have yet to win an away meeting.

Tonight's likely line-ups

Ipswich: Rider replacement for JB Jensen, K Jansson, C Louis, T Kroner, R Miskowiak, M Rempala, Z Suchecki.

Eastbourne: AN Other, L Bridger, D Watt, AN Other, M Risager, C Woodward, S Gustafsson.