IPSWICH Witches will be hoping for no video nasty tonight as they take centre stage for the first time this season on Sky television.The lack of success at Foxhall in 2007 has no doubt been the main reason for a lack of visits from the satellite sports channel.

By Mike Bacon

IPSWICH Witches will be hoping for no video nasty tonight as they take centre stage for the first time this season on Sky television.

The lack of success at Foxhall in 2007 has no doubt been the main reason for a lack of visits from the satellite sports channel.

But they are in town tonight and Ipswich will want to put on a show.

High-flying Poole Pirates provide the opposition, fighting for a play-off place near the top of the Sky Sports Elite League table.

The Witches, on the other hand, after their cup defeat to Reading on Thursday, have little to ride for this season apart from pride, yet they are capable of giving Poole a run for their money tonight.

“One thing we will be hoping for is a dry day,” said team manager Mike Smillie.

“On Thursday we were caught out badly by a downpour in the afternoon and we can't afford to give Poole the kind of start we gave Reading.

“We know how hard Poole will be to beat with the likes of Bjarne Pedersen and Jason Crump and we need to get among those two especially.”

The Witches were on the receiving end of a Poole thrashing at Foxhall earlier in the season. Then, the Witches won just three heats in a 58-35 defeat that was described at the time by promoter John Louis as “unacceptable”.

In fairness the Witches have improved much since then, with reserve Tobi Kroner now playing a major part in the side.

“Tobi is becoming a very key rider for us,” Smillie added. “I don't think he scored many when Poole were here last time, but I expect him to get many more on Monday.”

With Zibi Suchecki looking much more like his old self at Coventry on Friday night and Robert Miskowiak currently in a good run of form, the Witches could well upset the Poole applecart.

Kim Jansson returns to the Ipswich side after a shoulder injury, but Jesper B Jensen is still out with broken ribs. Chris Louis hurt his back at Coventry on Friday, but is likely to be fit.

For the visitors, veteran Pole Piotr Swist has been axed and either Steve Boxhall or Tai Woffinden will ride at No. 7, the two now sharing the reserve spot, with Boxhall likely to get the nod.

Tonight's meeting is on Sky Sports 1 at 7.30pm.

Teams

Ipswich: 1 R/R, 2 Kim Jansson, 3 Chris Louis, 4 Zibi Suchecki, 5 Robert Miskowiak, 6 Marcin Rempala, 7 Tobi Kroner.

Poole: 1 Bjarne Pedersen, 2 Troy Batchelor, 3 Jason Crump, 4 Edward Kennett, 5 Craig Boyce, 6 Jason Doyle, 7 Steve Boxhall.