Ipswich Witches team boss Ritchie Hawkins has admitted confidence is low in the Foxhall camp, as his side entertain Peterborough in the League Cup tomorrow night.

The Witches have not raced at Foxhall since the opening night of the season almost a month ago, having suffered a frustrating rain-off against Sheffield, and are eager to ride in front of the home faithful and get a first win of the new season.

The Witches are at full strength tonight and will be keen to put things right after a disappointing result at Rye House on Saturday in the Premier League.

“I think everyone is short of a little bit of confidence at the moment but it’s early stages,” Hawkins said.

“I think we’re having a little bit of a rebuilding process with the team this year and everyone’s got to be given time to settle down. I’ve got full faith in them, my approach with them, and how we are approaching the season. It’s been a tough start but we are going to improve and be strong by the end of the season.”

Despite the results, the former captain says he is seeing positives throughout the team that will come to the boil soon enough.

“Individually the riders are making improvements and they’ll know they need to build on them on Thursday,” Hawkins added.

“You can see slight improvements in maybe their starting or certain things they are doing differently. It’s all going to click.”

The Panthers come to Foxhall sitting second in the group and a win would boost their chances of progressing as they look to overhaul Sheffield at the top.

Ironically the Witches hold the aces as regards how this group ends up, with both Sheffield and Peterborough having to race the Witches home and away.