A PLAY-OFF place may be secured, but Ipswich Evening Star Witches are keen to finish third rather than fourth in this season's Elite League.And that they could achieve tonight with two hefty wins against Coventry and Poole, two results which would take the Witches above Swindon into third spot and a meeting at Lakeside on Monday in the play-offs.

Mike Bacon

A PLAY-OFF place may be secured, but Ipswich Evening Star Witches are keen to finish third rather than fourth in this season's Elite League.

And that they could achieve tonight with two hefty wins against Coventry and Poole, two results which would take the Witches above Swindon into third spot and a meeting at Lakeside on Monday in the play-offs.

But right now it appears more likely the Witches will be travelling to Poole in those semi-finals, as the Suffolk side face two of the toughest teams in the League. Without Jarek Hampel (who is riding for his Polish club Leszno in a play-off meeting) the Witches hopes are obviously dented and with Tobi Kroner still nursing a broken finger even more so.

Yesterday, they announced their guest riders to replace Hampel in tonight's double-header after feverishly endeavouring to put together a side that is capable of beating both Coventry and Poole.

Now in a reversal of roles it has been agreed that Coventry's Chris Harris will guest against Poole, while Poole's Davey Watt will guest against Coventry.

Witches captain Chris Louis said: “We will be at as full strength as possible, seeing as we are also without Tobi.”

Coventry and Poole both offer huge tests just to gain a victory. But more than 30 points are needed to be made up on Swindon over the two meetings - a possibility, but very difficult.

Robert Miskowiak is back in the Witches fold after missing the clash against Peterborough.

Teams

Ipswich: 1 P Swiderski, 2 R/R, 3 C Harris (guest against Poole) D. Watt (guest against Coventry), 4 R Miskowiak, 5 R Schlein, 6 S Johnston, 7 C Schramm.

Coventry: 1 H Andersen, 2 O Allen, 3 C Harris, 4 B Janniro, 5 R/R, 6 J Auty, 7 F Sitera.

Poole: 1 C Holder, 2 M Zetterstrom, 3 B Pedersen, 4 A Skornicki, 5 D Watt, 6 F Eriksson, 7 D Davidsson.

Due to the stadium curfew the first race will be at 7.15pm sharp with the parade of riders taking place at 7pm. Prices for this double header will be: £22 for adults and £18 for concessions.