SHEFFIELD kickstart what could be a pivotal month in their season when they host Ipswich at Owlerton on Thursday (7.30).

It’s the first of five fixtures in July for the Tigers who have meetings against high-flying pair Peterborough and Lakeside plus rivals Scunthorpe to come.

And with the reigning Champions slowly creeping up the Championship table, co-promoter Damien Bates is keen to see his side soon break into the top four - but has warned his riders to be wary of an equally strong Ipswich outfit in a repeat of last season’s Grand Final.

“Ipswich are still smarting after our win in the play-offs last year and I know Chris Louis and his team will want to come to us and make a point,” Bates said.

“But this is a vital month for us and we have to up our game again.

“We were disappointed to go out of the Knockout Cup last week, but now we have to focus on the rest of the season and make sure we get another win on the board on Thursday.”

Tigers skipper Kyle Howarth is still ruled out with a shoulder injury so Ty Proctor again steps in at No.1.

Ipswich are led by experienced campaigner Rory Schlein and also include former Sheffield man Nico Covatti.

With Danny King still sidelined, the Witches have drafted in Glasgow’s Lewis Kerr with recently released Tiger Jack Smith guesting for injury victim Danyon Hume at reserve.

SHEFFIELD: Ty Proctor, Todd Kurtz, Lasse Bjerre, Broc Nicol, Charles Wright, Georgie Wood, James Shanes.

IPSWICH: Rory Schelin, Jonas Jeppesen, Cameron Heeps, Nico Covatti, Lewis Kerr, Connor Mountain, Jack Smith.