GRAND Prix star Tai Woffinden will race against Sheffield Tigers in Thursday's War of the Roses clash with Belle Vue Aces at Owlerton (7.45).

Woffinden, 19, made his Premier League debut for Sheffield in 2006 as a guest - and he will now be a guest of the Manchester club to replace the injured Charlie Gjedde.

Woffinden was handed one of the four picks for the 2010 Grand Prix series during the winter and will spend a second successive season with Wolverhampton in the Elite League. He will also be riding in the Polish and Swedish Leagues.

And his Owlerton booking means he will be up against his Godfather, Tigers chief Neil Machin who has been a family friend for over 20-years.

Woffinden won the Premier League Riders' Championship when with Rye House in 2008 and he will be up against reigning champion Ricky Ashworth on Thursday.

Said Machin: "It's unfortunate for Belle Vue to lose Charlie to his knee injury and we wish him well for a speedy recovery, but in Tai the fans have a real star to watch."