SHEFFIELD Tigers face their biggest meeting of the season when Newcastle Diamonds visit Owlerton in the first leg of the Premier League Play-off Final on Thursday (7.45).

A bumper crowd is expected for the tie with the return at the Newcastle Stadium on Sunday. Not only is a trophy on the line, but a place in the promotion / relegation race-off with Ipswich.

Said Sheffield owner Neil Machin: “I’d like to see the terraces packed, the fans who stayed away when we turned around the 28-point deficit should come along and get behind us.

“I can understand how some fans had given up hope after the first leg at Edinburgh but this is the first leg at home and we need a lead, with the help of the fans.”

Sheffield will once again be without the services of Czech Republic star Josef Franc who has ridden his last race of the season in the UK after missing a Sheffield fixture to race in his home country.

And Adam Roynon has been booked as a guest replacement for injured Sheffield reserve Paul Cooper. The Cumbrian was once regarded as Britain’s hottest young prospect before injuries plagued him and set his career back.

SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth, Hugh Skidmore, Josef Franc R/R, Richard Hall, Josh Auty, Adam Roynon, Simon Lambert.

NEWCASTLE: Kenni Larsen, Jason King R/R, Derek Sneddon, Rene Bach, Mark Lemon, Dakota North, Adam McKinna.