LEGENDARY six-times world speedway champion Ivan Mauger will be the special guest at Sheffield's Premier League clash with Scunthorpe at Owlerton on Thursday (7.45).

And the New Zealander, who is in the UK promoting his new autobiography, will hand over the Premier League Pairs trophy to Sheffield heroes Josh Auty and Ricky Ashworth on parade before the meeting.

Mauger is widely regarded as the greatest rider in the sport's history after a stunning career which included spells in the north with Newcastle, Belle Vue and Hull.

Auty and Ashworth romped to victory at Somerset last Friday to hand Sheffield their first piece of silverware in eight years.

Sheffield owner Neil Machin said: “We are extremely honoured to have Ivan Mauger as our special guest for this meeting and it’s wonderful that he can hand over the trophy in front of our own supporters.

“Josh and Ricky rode their socks off to win the thing and it will be a wonderful moment for them to be congratulated by the greatest rider, alongside Tony Rickardsson, of all-time.”

Mauger will be promoting and personally signing copies of his book ‘The will to win’ and fans can also have their photograph taken alongside him.

Meanwhile Wednesday's trip to Birmingham which was washed out has been rearranged for Wednesday, August 11.

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

SCUNTHORPE: Magnus Karlsson, Tero Aarnio, Victor Bergstrom, Carl Wilkinson, David Howe, Jerran Hart, Gary Irving.