Sheffield Tigers will have two new boys in action for season opener against Belle Vue

Both riders were absent at the club’s practice session at Owlerton on Friday as they were in Poland.

But Stead says his side will be at full strength for the first league meeting between the sides in 25 years.

Said Stead: “There’s no reason why the boys won’t be there, it’s very different commuting from Poland these days with testing and paperwork but it’s all planned very carefully.

“It’s a big night for us and a big night for the sport after the cancellation of last season. Personally I can’t wait to take charge of my team in the top division for the very first time.

“Belle Vue have assembled a really good team and I’m expecting a good match, both for the fans in the stadium and those watching at home on TV.

“After everything we’ve been though it will be so emotional seeing the tapes go up on the first race and I really cannot wait.

“I like the balance of our team, it looks good and I know we can give Belle Vue a run for their money.

“It will be good to go out there and race on one of the best tracks in the world and I’d love to go there and pick up an away win in our first meeting in the Premiership, that’s the dream and that’s the aim.

“There’s always been rivalry between Belle Vue and Sheffield but because we’ve been in different leagues for so long it’s not been that passionate, but I remember these meetings when I was a kid on the terraces.

“I expect our lads to go out there and give it everything. They’ve all been riding whether it be in Poland or in practice sessions so I expect them to get back into it pretty quickly.”

Sheffield open the doors at Owlerton this Thursday, May 20, when Peterborough are the visitors for the first meeting there since October 2019.

Tonight’s meeting will be shown live on Eurosport to launch a new five-year deal with British Speedway.

BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Richie Worrall, Dan Bewley, Steve Worrall, Charles Wright, Tom Brennan, Jye Etheridge.

SHEFFIELD: Troy Batchelor, Kyle Howarth, Adam Ellis, Justin Sedgmen, Jack Holder, James Wright, Josh Bates.