SHEFFIELD Tigers are back in Premier League Speedway business on Thursday when they face Workington Comets at Owlerton Stadium (7.45).

It's the club's first outing for a fortnight after a mid-season break which has allowed influential Czech Republic star Josef Franc to recover from his shoulder injury. He's been out for a month and returns against the Comets.

The meeting also sees a welcome return to Owlerton for former Sheffield skipper Andre Compton who still has many fans at the club.

Tigers chief Neil Machin said: "Workington will be a tough test for us because they have riders who can go well around here in our former skipper Andre Compton and new Danish rider Peter Kildemand who I thought did well as a guest for us a couple of weeks ago."

Josh Auty has declared himself fit for the meeting after spending the weekend in bed with a virus - but his hand is still giving him problems after a nasty crash last month.

Workington have recently snapped up American ace Kenny Ingalls who makes his first visit to Owlerton as a Premier League rider and Craig Cook is the reigning National League Riders' champion.

Tigers are looking to complete the double over the Cumbrian side after winning at Derwent Park last month when they went on a run which transformed their season.

SHEFFIELD: Josef Franc, Hugh Skidmore, Ricky Ashworth, Richard Hall, Josh Auty, Paul Cooper, Arlo Bugeja.

WORKINGTON: Andre Compton, Rusty Harrison, Chris Schramm, Craig Cook, Peter Kildemand, Richard Lawson, Kenny Ingalls.