PETERBOROUGH are finally set to track a full-strength side when they resume their Sports Insure Premiership campaign at Sheffield on Thursday.
The Crendon Panthers recently brought back fans’ favourite Chris Harris to take over the captaincy and No.1 position, but they had to race against Ipswich last week without Vadim Tarasenko who was absent for family reasons.
Tarasenko is back for the trip to Owlerton to form an exciting opening combination with Harris, whilst another recent signing Patryk Wojdylo will look to build on a hugely encouraging display against the Witches when he raced to double figures.
Although Panthers have five home league matches remaining, plus their KO Cup clash with Ipswich, this is their final away fixture of the season in the Premiership.
And recent results on the road have been far more encouraging with a 46-44 win at King’s Lynn following shortly after a 45-45 ‘draw’ at Wolverhampton which was worth a league point after defeat in a Super Heat.
In the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, Panthers are currently two points behind the Stars, who only have two home matches to go.
Sheffield are fifth in the table but are still favourites to go on and clinch a play-off berth with a side which could yet challenge for the title, after they missed out in the Grand Final last year.
The Tigers recently brought in former World Champion Tai Woffinden as an injury replacement for Jack Holder, and Woffinden will also be in their team when they race at the East of England Arena on Monday.
Elsewhere, Polish star Tobiasz Musielak has been scoring as an out-and-out No.1 whilst the middle order features former British Champion Adam Ellis and another summer signing Josh Pickering, who rejoined the club in June.
Panthers’ last visit to Owlerton was weather affected with rain forcing a halt after ten races with the Tigers 14 points ahead, and the South Yorkshire side still have to make two visits to Owlerton.
SHEFFIELD: Tobiasz Musielak, Kyle Howarth, Adam Ellis, Josh Pickering, Tai Woffinden, Lewis Kerr, Dan Gilkes. PETERBOROUGH: Chris Harris, Vadim Tarasenko, Benjamin Basso, Ben Cook, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Patryk Wojdylo, Jordan Jenkins.