Speedway: Jack Holder to return for Sheffield, as visitors King's Lynn set to bring depleted team

But with three time world champion Tai Woffinden still ruled out with a broken elbow, Tru7 Group Tigers have drafted in GB rider Tom Brennan in his place for the Premiership clash, against a Stars line up that is also depleted by injuries.

Jack Holder, who was injured riding in the Speedway grand prix series in Poland, rode in the Speedway of Nations final at the weekend, and now makes his return for Sheffield after missing the away defeats at Oxford and Leicester.

Guest Brannan also rode in the Speedway of Nations final, winning a gold medal in the Great Britain team which won the tournament, managed by Tigers boss Simon Stead and Ollie Allen. He looks set to ride at two, with Josh Pickering at three.

After King’s Lynn number one Tobias Musielak confirmed he would not be returning after being injured in Poland, regulations mean the Stars cannot now operate rider replacement for him, and must book a guest up to a maximum of 75 per cent of the Pole’s average. His replacement facility has expired.

Birmingham’s Justin Sedgmen, a former Sheffield rider, comes in at number one and the Stars will operate rider replacement for Nicolai Klindt, who is also injured.

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Last time Sheffield rode at Owlerton, they beat King’s Lynn 54-36 to secure their place in the Knockout Cup Final.

Tigers manager Stead said: “That was another good win for the lads and we’d be more than happy with something similar on Thursday.

“We’re on a pretty solid run at home lately with our last three meetings all resulting in 18 point victories for us.

“We want to carry that on as best we can because that way we will get into the play-offs and we’ll have a bit of momentum behind us again.

“Having Jack back is obviously great for the team and whilst we’re still without Tai (Woffinden), to have at least one of our top two fit again can help us get back on track.”

King’s Lynn operations manager Dale Allitt said: “It’s not ideal of course with the facility having expired at No.1 and so few options with only one Premiership team not racing.

“What we can say is that a lot of work is going on behind the scenes, although as other teams have found out recently, it’s not easy!”

Turnstiles open at 6pm.

Sheffield: Jack Holder, Tom Brennan, Josh Pickering, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes.

Kings Lynn: Justin Sedgmen, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Jan Kvech, Benjamin Basso, Nicolai Klindt R/R, Patryk Wojdylo, Anders Rowe.