King’s Lynn speedway skipper Josh Pickering says if Stars maintain Wolverhampton previous Premiership outing’s performance level 'we’ll win the league' as they head to Wolves

Stars skipper Josh Pickering says if King’s Lynn maintain their previous Premiership outing’s performance level, “we’ll win the league”.

The Minors & Brady Stars’ last league speedway date was at home to Wolverhampton, a 55-35 triumph on July 14, and they head back to Wolves tonight (Monday 25).

The Australian pointed out the team has not been on a level playing field due to Niels-Kristian Iversen being recalled to Poland, and the fact Wolves were also without their number one Sam Masters made a huge difference: “We’ve been without Niels and hanging in there. It just goes to show the quality of our other six riders when they’re losing theirs as well,” he said.

“They could be fighting for a trophy by the end of the year and if we can go out and smash them by 20 (points), and should have been more if I didn’t drop a chain, it just goes to show how good we are.

“If every one of us rides as half as good as what we did tonight we’ll win the league, as simple as that.

“There’s no reason we can’t go there and do the same again. We’ve got riders who ride all over the continent. I’ve got every faith in them.

“We’ve got a legend of a team manager (Alex Brady) who’s always in our corner. He’s there to criticise as well.

“There’s no point in giving praise without criticism. If I do something wrong, I’ll put my hand up and cop it on the chin.”

Pickering said it was vital to ride at Monmore Green on Monday in the Premiership Pairs fourth round, where Lynn just missed out on a semi-final place, to make up for lost time and learn the track in readiness for Monday’s forthcoming Premiership league trip to fourth-spot Wolves.

The New South Wales racer had to withdraw after two rides during the second from bottom Stars’ previous trip to Wolves in May due to illness before suffering a 53-37 defeat.

“For me personally, I was quite sick when we went to Wolves the first time in the league,” he added.

“It will be a matter of learning a new track, and going there on Monday for the league meeting so we can do them there.”

The Stars have re-declared in the Rising Star positions with Jack Thomas back in the squad as he has now returned to racing following his broken wrists.

Thomas took three rides at Birmingham last Wednesday in his first meeting back for Oxford, and is now declared alongside Jason Edwards, who remains in the team tonight as it is felt Thomas is not ready yet for a tight circuit such as Monmore.

The club will re-assess that situation ahead of the home clash with Ipswich on August 4, but they can confirm Jake Mulford has been released from the squad and has joined Peterborough.

Wolverhampton operate rider replacement as Nick Morris is ruled out due to illness.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Sam Masters, Steve Worrall, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Nick Morris R/R, Drew Kemp, Leon Flint.

LYNN: Kyle Howarth, Richie Worrall, Richard Lawson, Lewis Kerr, Josh Pickering, Thomas Jorgensen, Jason Edwards.