SHEFFIELD owner Neil Machin has paid tribute to King’s Lynn counterpart Keith Chapman for rescuing Thursday’s fixture at Owlerton (7.45pm).

The provisional date with Berwick was ruled out and the Norfolk side were the only other club who could fill the gap.

Said Machin: “Keith Chapman is the hero. He can see the bigger picture and worked overtime to get his team together. That said, we want to beat them!”

Both sides are at full strength for the meeting which sees a clash between two of the sport's deadly rivals.

Outspoken comments from Lynn co-promoter Jonathan Chapman ahead of last season's play-off clash between the two sides wound Sheffield fans, riders and management alike up - and they went and won!

"They have a team full of riders who can go well around our place and we will have to be on our toes," said Machin.

"Simon Lambert at reserve gives them strength, we know that after he made guest appearances for us recently, and in Tomas Topinka and Kevin Doolan they have two of the best riders in the league. It should be quite a night."

TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Joel Parsons, Andre Compton, Paul Cooper, Ben Wilson, Sam Martin, Lee Smethills.
KING'S LYNN: Tomas Topinka, Shaun Tacey, Kevin Doolan, Kozza Smith, Rusty Harrison, John Oliver, Simon Lambert.