SHEFFIELD team manager Simon Stead has demanded a response from his side when they host Ipswich in the first leg of their Knockout Cup Semi-Final tie at Owlerton on Thursday (7.30).

The meeting comes just three days after the Tigers saw their Promotion hopes dealt a massive blow when they were comfortably beaten 58-32 by Leicester at home.

But Stead has urged his riders to learn from the experience and is expecting to see the Tigers produce a big performance ahead of Friday’s cup decider at Foxhall.

Said Stead: “We were bitterly disappointed with how Monday went but we have to put that behind us.

“Thankfully there’s a quick turnaround in fixtures and we need to make sure we put things right on Thursday.

“We’re all expecting to see a much improved performance and one that demonstrates our true capabilities at Owlerton like we have done for the entire rest of the year.

“It’s not going to be easy because Ipswich are a good side and they’ll be looking to get one over us after we beat them to the league title in the Grand Final.

“We’ve still got a couple of our top boys missing as well so it’s going to take a full team effort if we are to head to Ipswich with some form of a lead to our name.”

With spearhead duo Josh Grajczonek and Kyle Howarth still ruled out through injury, club bosses have again booked seven-time British Champion Scott Nicholls to stand-in at No.1 while rider replacement will operate at No.5.

The visitors have called on Redcar man Ben Barker to replace Rory Schlein who misses the clash through concussion sustained at Sunday’s Championship Pairs.

A reminder to supporters that season tickets ARE available for this fixture.

SHEFFIELD: Scott Nicholls, Todd Kurtz, Lasse Bjerre, Josh Bates, Kyle Howarth R/R, Jan Graversen, Georgie Wood.

IPSWICH: Danny King, Justin Sedgmen R/R, Cameron Heeps, Kyle Newman, Ben Barker, Nathan Greaves, Connor Mountain.