TIGERS go head to head tonight with another target that got away, as they face fellow Premier League title chasers Rye House at Owlerton.
Flying Swede Linus Sundstrom - dubbed the Blond Bombshell - arrives in town after turning down a lucrative offer to join the Owlerton club during the close season.
The highly-rated 18-year-old came to Sheffield boss Neil Machin's attention last ye
ar when he turned in some impressive displays during a mini-tour of Britain.
Contract talks were held, but Sundstrom opted to join the Hertfordshire club because the track is close to Stansted Airport - cutting down the travel time to his Swedish home.
"We were very interested in bringing Linus here because we know he will become a good rider," said Machin.
"His early-season form with Rye has already proved that and it will be interesting to see how he goes this week when he lines up against us."
His appearance follows that of Rene Bach, who chalked up nine points last week for Newcastle. He was another Scandinavian target who turned the Tigers down.
Sundstrom has prepared for the meeting by studying videos of Owlerton, with the Rockets determined to end a run which has taken Sheffield to within touching distance of top spot.
Apart from the Swede, Rye will be spearheaded by Chris Neath - who is finally getting to grips with the pacy Owlerton racebowl - and former speedway wild-man Andrew Silver returns to South Yorkshire for the first time in over a decade, having made a comeback from retirement at the age of 42.
Sheffield: R Ashworth, H Skidmore, J Parsons, R Hall, J Auty, P Cooper, C Mills.
Rye House: C Neath, L Bowen, L Sundstrom, J Haines (rider replacement), R Mear, T Allen, A Silver.
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