The significance of today's National Trophy [NT] clash with Mildenhall up in the Fens has certainly been stepped up following the Fen Tigers' win in the competition at Plymouth on Friday - meaning that Sunday's hosts lead the NT table and the TouchTec Kings go into the match knowing the vital importance of getting match points in pursuit of a place in the Final.
Chris Hunt's team preparations have been hit by a blow with the news received on Saturday that teenaged star Dan Gilkes' injury suffered a week ago up at Stoke is far more serious than first diagnosed. With the pain not easing from suspected muscular damage, the 16-year-old year old returned to hop[ital and takes up the story, "I have broken a few bones since starting Speedway and after my crash at Stoke I didn’t feel anything was broken, but knew it was painful for sure. I have spent all week trying to get ready for Mildenhall,, but this morning [Saturday] I woke up with really a lot of pain and not being able to sit down. I went to the hospital to be told I had a displaced fracture of my pelvis. I'm absolutely gutted but relieved that they've told me I don't need surgery. I will be contacting my physio asap and see what we.can do to get me back on track as soon as I can. I hope to be back as soon as possible."
With a possible eight weeks lay off for Gilkes, who will have to grit his teeth to celebrate his 17th. birthday on Tuesday, joining team mate Alex Spooner on the sidelines, this leaves beleaguered Kings' team boss with a significant selection headache and he's moved swiftly to bring in 18-year-old Yorkshire-based Sheldon Davies as replacement in the reserve berth for Sunday's match at West Row. Hailing from Wombwell in South Yorkshire, Davies - who rode last term for Birmingham - will be hoping to do well on his Kings' debut. With Drew Kemp also missing, Kent have Ben Morley back as 'Guest' for a second Sunday running.
The hosts had two less likely heroes down in Devon with Charlie Brooks recording a career best away score of paid 13 and their own rookie reserve, Elliott Kelly ( like Davies from Yorkshire as it happens) also amassing double figures - in Kelly's case for the first time in his embryonic career.
Teams [in alphabetical order]: Mildenhall Fen Tigers: Danny Ayres; Charlie Brooks; Jason Edwards; Elliott Kelly; Macauley Leek; Matt Marson; David Wallinger
Kent TouchTec Kings: Nathan Ablitt; Sheldon Davies; Jordan Jenkins; Rob Ledwith; Ben Morley [G]; Anders Rowe; Rider Replacement for Alex Spooner
The action gets underway at 3.00pm at Mildenhall Speedway, Hayland Drove, West Row, near Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 8QU