LYONS IN FOR DIAMONDS' RETURN

NEWS Tuesday 7th August 2007, 8:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs will welcome Jason Lyons as a guest rider for Friday's return match against Newcastle, who pipped Monarchs by 2 points on their own track last Sunday.

Lyons stands in for Kaj Laukkanen who has been called up to ride in the Grand Prix at Mallila on Saturday and is required for the practise on Friday. Daniele Tessari is expected to return to the Monarchs' side against opponents who have a great record at Armadale.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 10th AUGUST (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: George Stancl, Derek Sneddon (capt.), Jason Lyons (guest), Kalle Katajisto, Matthew Wethers, Daniele Tessari, Andrew Tully.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: Christian Henry, Jonas Raun, Josef Franc (or rider replacement), Ross Brady, Carl Wilkinson, Sam Dore, Sean Stoddart.

GUEST REPLACEMENTS: Jason Lyons has been booked to replace Laukkanen on Friday. Jason is of course one of the most experienced and consistent riders in the league. He scored 16 points for Birmingham at Armadale recently.

It is hoped to book Kyle Legault of Mildenhall to ride at Stoke but confirmation of this is awaited.

TESSARI OUT TILL FRIDAY: Daniele Tessari will miss this week's away matches at King's Lynn and Sheffield as he bids for full fitness in time for Friday's match.

Monarchs will use Nathan Irwin (Weymouth) as stand-in at King's Lynn.

Daniele's report from the physiotherapist though was encouraging and suggested that he should be ready to race on Friday night. His absence since 18th May has been a major obstacle to the team's success this season, with only Conference League replacements available.

KAJ'S CALL-UP: Monarchs' Finnish star Kaj Laukkanen believed he wouldn't miss any Monarchs' matches this season, but he is second official reserve for the Speedway Grand Prix.

Andreas Jonsson and Jarek Hampel are missing from Saturday's lineup so Peter Karlsson and Kaj step in. It will give supporters not travelling to Stoke a greater interest in the Sky coverage on Saturday night.

AWAY MATCHES: Just to confirm, Monarchs race at King's Lynn (Wednesday), Sheffield (Thursday) and Stoke (Saturday).

There are aggregate points at stake at King's Lynn and Stoke, though King's Lynn have already won at Armadale.

SPONSORS ON FRIDAY: Long term supporter Maurice Gordon from Peebles is the meeting sponsor at Armadale on Friday.

DIAMONDS KNOW THE TRACK: With three ex-Monarchs in their ranks (Henry, Brady, Stoddart) the Newcastle team have chalked up over 200 Armadale appearances between them, which is more than the current home side!

So track knowledge is unlikely to play much part in Friday's fixture, if it ever does in matches between these sides.

Christian Henry is in particularly good form, averageing over 8, and he was unlucky not to make the latter stages in the Scottish Open last Friday.

There is sad news concerning Josef Franc, whose father died last Sunday. We understand that the popular Pepe has returned home and is likely to be missing on Friday. Newcastle have applied for the rider replacement facility which will surely be granted.

Carl Wilkinson's recent form suggest that he should improve considerably on his previous Armadale showings this season. Newcastle will also look to Jonas Raun and Ross Brady, who have been out of touch recently but are capable of much better, and there is little doubt that Sean Stoddart will be an effective reserve.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: The annual individual classic the Keyline Scottish Open Championship was won deservedly by Daniel Nermark (King's Lynn). Runner up was Kevin Doolan (Belle Vue) with Tai Woffinden (Rye House) third on his Armadale debut.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs take on the Glasgow Tigers in a Premier League match at Armadale on Friday 17th August.

Full Result Details