Ipswich youngster James Sarjeant is set to be back in Witches colours at Rye House on Saturday night as the Witches open their Premier League campaign with a trip to Rye House.

The 22-year-old from Sheffield has been struck down with flu which has laid him low for a week.

He missed both Coventry Bees’ Elite League clashes against Swindon and Wolves last Thursday and Friday and would have missed the Witches postponed clash with Sheffield at Foxhall which was rained-off on Saturday.

He was doubtful for the Bees’ clash at King’s Lynn on Monday too, before that was called off.

Still feeling the effects of his illness and sounding none to sharp, Sarjeant admits he’s just glad to be up and about again.

“I’ve never felt so bad as I did last week,” he said.

“I was pretty well in bed all week and it took me until Friday to even get up.

“I’ve never missed speedway through illness like this and it’s knocked me for six to be honest. In fact I’ve never been as ill as this before.”

Sarjeant returns to the Witches fold at Hoddesdon on Saturday and admits Ipswich fans have yet to see anything of his riding abilities after the Foxhall Heath side lost and drew with Scunthorpe in their opening two League Cup clashes – their only two meetings to date.

“I’m looking forward to getting back and just riding again and I’m hoping to find somewhere to practice before Saturday,” Sarjeant said.

“Ipswich fans have only seen me once at Foxhall this season and I can’t imagine they were especially impressed with that.” (Sarjeant failed to score from four rides).

“I didn’t have a practice day at Ipswich either, as it fell on the same day as Coventry’s practice day. It just made sense at the time for me to go to Coventry, which is so much closer to home for me.”

The clash at Rye House on Saturday starts at 7pm.