IPSWICH Evening Star Witches face a mammoth task when they travel to joint Sky Sports Elite League leaders Poole Pirates tonight.The Dorset-based speedway side has won their last 10 meetings - and won all nine home league contests this year.

By Elvin King

SPEEDWAY

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Witches face a mammoth task when they travel to joint Sky Sports Elite League leaders Poole Pirates tonight (start 7.30pm).

The Dorset-based speedway side has won their last 10 meetings - and won all nine home league contests this year.

And they are boosted by news that world champion Jason Crump will be spearheading their side after recovering sufficiently from the arm and shoulder injuries he sustained in the Swedish Grand Prix on May 26.

The Australian has been having treatment close to his home at Northampton rugby club after suffering ligament and muscle damage.

Although he will not be 100% fit Crump feels he can do a professional job tonight for Poole - and by deciding to return to the track he confirmed that he will ride in the Danish GP on Saturday.

The Witches bring in Wolverhampton's in-form David Howe in place of Mark Loram, with Howe given a lift after finishing runner-up to Chris Harris in Monday's British Final - and so earning a wild card entry to the British GP at Cardiff on June 30.

Young German Tobi Kroner is ruled out tonight because his foot is still very painful with his place taken by the Ipswich No. 8 Chris Schramm.

Kroner is to undergo further treatment with top speedway physio Brian Simpson and hopes to be able to ride against Belle Vue at Foxhall Stadium tomorrow - even though it might require his foot being strapped.

“I want to make sure I am fit enough to last the course, and not let everybody down by having to call it a day after a race or two,” said Kroner, 21.

Witches promoter John Louis is predicting a tough time for his side, who were thrashed 58-34 in the corresponding A fixture at Wimborne Road this season.

“I will be surprised if any visiting team wins at Poole,” said Louis. “They have an awesome side who are all riding well.

“Home track advantage is also a big issue at Poole, but we will certainly be boosted by our fully deserved draw at Eastbourne on Saturday.”

Tonight's squads

Poole: J Crump, P Swist, C Boyce, E Kennett, B Pedersen, J Doyle, T Batchelor.

Ipswich: D Howe, K Jansson, C Louis, Z Suchecki, R Miskowiak, M Rempala, C Schramm.

ADAM Shields, who rides for Lakeside, will guest for Mark Loram when Ipswich take on bottom-of-the-table Belle Vue at Foxhall Stadium tomorrow.

IPSWICH skipper Chris Louis scored seven points in the British Final at Wolverhampton on Monday. The two-time British champion lost a chain at the tapes in his first outing and then had scores of one, three, one and two.