JOSH Pickering has handed Sheffield a KO Cup boost by declaring himself fit to face his former club King’s Lynn in tonight’s live BSN clash.
The all-action Aussie has missed the Tigers’ last three outings after injuring his shoulder riding for Championship Edinburgh but he is ready to take on a patched-up Stars’ side in the semi-final first leg at the Adrian Flux Arena.
The home side – who are looking to end Sheffield’s 18-match unbeaten run in this fixture – have called in former riders Richard Lawson and Simon Lambert for the clash to make guest appearances in Thursday’s KO Cup clash with Sheffield.
Lawson, who rode for the club and was a high scorer in 2021-22, comes in for Tobiasz Musielak who continues to struggle with an ankle injury.
Musielak broke his collarbone in a crash in early May, but he also suffered ankle ligament damage and it is this injury which meant his attempted return in Poland was cut short after three rides.
Lambert enjoyed a successful stint in Norfolk in the second-half of last year and comes in for Michael Palm Toft who broke his collarbone riding for Scunthorpe at Berwick on Saturday.
The new June averages dropped Palm Toft into the reserve berth forcing the Stars to look for guests. Patryk Wojdylo moves to number two.
Pickering, who began last season as King’s Lynn captain before being replaced while injured when the Stars brought in Artem Laguta and Kye Thomson.
On his return to fitness Pickering moved to Owlerton where he began the season in good form.
He said: “It has been a tough few weeks to be honest, sitting on the sidelines and watching the boys have all the fun. I’m very much looking forward to getting back racing.
“I’m more than confident we can go there and get the result we require.
“It’s a track I know well, I know Tai (Woffinden) always loves racing at King’s Lynn, Jack (Holder) was unbeaten there last year.”
The second leg takes place at Owlerton on Thursday, June 27.
King’s Lynn: Richard Lawson, Patryk Wojdylo, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Benjamin Basso, Nicolai Klindt, Simon Lambert, Anders Rowe.
Sheffield: Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Tai Woffinden, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes.
Stream live here
Words by George Dodds.
Images by Taylor Lanning.