SHEFFIELD will compete in their 2000th meeting when they host rivals Scunthorpe at Owlerton on Thursday (7.30).

It promises to be a night of celebration with a whole host of former riders set to be present including Sean Wilson, Sam Ermolenko, Les and Neil Collins, Doug Wyer and many many more.

But three Championship points are a must for the Tigers who suffered a disappointing collapse at home high-flying Lakeside last week.

And team boss Simon Stead is expecting a response from his side.

"The lads know how I feel about that performance and they know it was unacceptable," Stead said.

"They know there's pressure on every single one of our remaining fixtures and we have to beat Scunthorpe, it's as simple as that.

"It's a big occasion for Sheffield Speedway and we want to commemorate it with a victory."

Sheffield hand a debut to local lad Joe Lawlor at reserve while Charles Wright moves to No.1 for the Tigers with the new greensheet averages kicking in.

A special, limited edition programme looking back on the history of Sheffield Speedway will also be available to buy trackside for £4.

SHEFFIELD: Charles Wright, Todd Kurtz, Lasse Bjerre, Broc Nicol, Kyle Howarth, James Shanes, Joe Lawlor.

SCUNTHORPE: Steve Worrall, Stefan Nielsen R/R, Jason Garrity, Jake Allen, Josh Auty, Danny Phillips, Gino Manzares.