PETERBOROUGH’S new-look team race into action for the first time on Friday with near-neighbours King’s Lynn providing the opposition at the Showground (7.30pm).

PETERBOROUGH’S new-look team race into action for the first time on Friday with near-neighbours King’s Lynn providing the opposition at the Showground (7.30pm).

The Readypower Panthers have called on popular Poles Krzysztof Buczkowski and Norbert Kosciuch to inject some spark into their season, whilst Finnish ace Joonas Kylmakorpi also makes his return to Elite League competition.

Kosciuch lost his place with the club earlier in 2013 but was desperate to return after a fine run of form in his home country, whilst the middle-order pairing of Buczkowski and Ryan Fisher promises to provide much entertainment.

At reserve, Panthers have Dakota North available despite his call-up to be Australia’s stand-by reserve for the first round of the World Cup this weekend. He will join the rest of the squad in Czestochowa, Poland, on Saturday having put his club commitments first.

Panthers co-promoter Trevor Swales said: “We’re very pleased to have Dak available and he shows exactly the right attitude to racing for our club. Missing Friday’s match was never a consideration for him, and it’s great that he has that kind of commitment.

“We have brought in riders who we are sure can do the job for us, and I hope the fans are looking forward to seeing them in action.

“Friday should be a great night of racing with the weather looking good – but we know King’s Lynn are a strong side with plenty of experience around our circuit, so it will be a tough one.”

The play-off chasing visitors started the season with a win at the Showground in freezing conditions on Good Friday, but they have made several team changes after a succession of injuries.

However, the Stars’ three heat-leaders are all former Peterborough riders with skipper Mads Korneliussen returning from a lengthy absence to join Rory Schlein and Grand Prix regular Niels-Kristian Iversen.

King’s Lynn have announced they will be without Swedish rider Sebastian Alden after a crash in his home country on Tuesday, but they also include rapidly-rising British star Richie Worrall – who will also be at the Showground with Newcastle in the Premier League Fours on Sunday afternoon.

READYPOWER PANTHERS: Kenneth Bjerre, Norbert Kosciuch, Ryan Fisher, Krzysztof Buczkowski, Joonas Kylmakorpi, Dakota North, Patrick Hougaard.

KING’S LYNN: Niels-Kristian Iversen, Richie Worrall, Mads Korneliussen, Sebastian Alden R/R, Rory Schlein, Alex Davies, Nicklas Porsing.