SPEEDWAY: Rising stars Linus Sundstrom is one of the star attractions in the 16-Lap Classic that takes place at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday.

But there are serious concerns over whether the young Swede will be in the Witches line-up full time in 2011 assuming they continue to ride in the Elite League.

Sundstrom doubled up with Premier League Rye House this year and his appearances for Ipswich were limited. His high scores from the reserve suggest that if he had ridden more meeting, the Witches would have had a much better chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.

Changes in the Swedish League could see Sundstrom having to drop down to the Allsvenskan (Second) Division – and those meetings take place on Thursday nights, which is the Ipswich home night.

Sundstrom currently rides for Piraterna in the Swedish Elite League at reserve with every club having to have a native in the bottom two.

This rule is set to be altered for next season, forcing Sundstrom to drop down a level.

A good performance last year in the 16-Lap meeting cemented Sundstrom’s place in the Ipswich side this year, and he will be one of the favourites to win the marathon race this term.

With no Scott Nicholls, Daniel King and Robert Miskowiak will join Sundstrom in leading the home challenge in a field that also includes Chris Slabon and ex-Witches Marcin Rempala and Chris Schramm.

The rest of the field is made up by Adam Shields, Richie Hawkins, Ben Barker, Ty Proctor, Travis McGowan and a replacement for Edward Kennett who has broken his ankle.

Sheffield appear to have the bit between their teeth and are set to give Ipswich a run for their money in the promotion/relegation play-off final.

The Tigers hammered the previously almost invincible Premier League champions Edinburgh 61-31 in the home leg of their semi-final to win 92-90 on aggregate.

They will now ride Birmingham or Newcastle to win the right to take on Ipswich for a place in the 2011 Elite League.