Challenging tie for Sheffield Tigers

Stead, who was back on top form in the weekend defeat at Peterborough with a paid maximum, points to the fact that some Glasgow riders are equally at home on the Sheffield track.

It promises to be a blockbuster as both sides were widely tipped for success by the pundits in the trade press during their pre-season survey. And Stead says it will take a team effort for his side to come away with maximum points.

“Glasgow are going to be a very tough test, we know that,” he said. “They have lots of riders who go particularly well around Owlerton, so we are going to have to be at the top of our game. It’s not ideal to be going into the meeting after a couple of weeks away from Owlerton, but ultimately the job we have to do is the same whether it’s against Glasgow or anyone else.

“It’s up to us to ride as well as we know we can and if we are all at our best and all do our job then we’ll come away with the three points. It’s been a tough run for us, but being back at home should give everyone a boost so hopefully we can get those first Premier League points on the board.”

Tigers have enjoyed a good League Cup campaign, topping their group to head through to the semi-finals but slipped up at Plymouth and Peterborough in their early league outings.

It’s a big week for Stead and Tigers colleagues Jason Garrity, Josh Bates, Kyle Howarth and Richard Hall; they all line up at Scunthorpe on Friday for the British semi-final.

“I’m confident I can get in the top seven and get through to the final at Belle Vue” said Stead. “I’m pretty sure there will be lots of Sheffield support there, too.”