IPSWICH Witches will include three new faces in their 2013 line-up.

IPSWICH Witches will include three new faces in their 2013 line-up.

With the returning Leigh Lanham and new boys Ben Barker and Adam Ellis, already confirmed starters, Ipswich promoter Chris Louis has gone for more fresh blood, in the form of Finnish youngster Jari Makinen.

The 22-year-old, who Louis admits ‘could be a bit of a gamble’, joins up with returning 2012 stars Rohan Tungate, Morten Risager and Cameron Heeps.

“I’m excited about this team because we have scope for improvement,” Louis said.

“Rohan and Cameron were always coming back to be with us, and Morten has done enough when fully fit to show what class he can be.

“Fans will wonder a bit about Jari Makinen. I had more points to play with than I used signing him.

“He has only had one season and I think he will enjoy racing the Foxhall track, which will benefit him a lot. He could be a bit of a gamble, but I’d rather give someone who has only one season over here a chance to impress, than a five-point rider who has been over here some time.”

However, there are no team places in the Witches 2013 team for Aussies Taylor Poole and Dakota North, or Frenchmen Mat Tressarieu, while Kevin Doolan has joined Leicester.

Full story and more reaction from Chris Louis in today’s Ipswich Star newspaper