IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins has vowed he won’t be “duped” by Peterborough’s rider crisis.
The Witches take on the Panthers in the Premiership KO Cup semi-final at Foxhall Heath tonight, live on BSN.
Hawkins is wary of complacency as Peterborough have struggled with five straight defeats this season after losing No.1 Nicki Pedersen.
Ipswich will also be without Erik Riss who is still sufferring from swelling to his optic nerves and illness caused by a viral infection.
Hawkins said: “It is a chance to make another Cup Final, so we have got to concentrate on these two meetings before we look ahead to the possibility of winning the competition.
“We have got to be fully focused on getting past Peterborough because I feel it is going to be a tough test, and I wouldn’t be duped into thinking it’s not because they have had a tough start to the season.
“They are still a capable team and will look forward to coming to Foxhall, so we need to be fully focused on this semi-final.”
Panthers remain under pressure after losing Pedersen and have struggled in a bid to replace him.
He said: “Of the riders available, some are too expensive, others are not up to the standard we need, and others just do not want to ride in the UK.
“We are still trying as we do not want to continue with guests or rider replacement.”
LINE UPS:
IPSWICH: Jason Doyle, Erik Riss R/R, Danny King, Keynan Rew, Emil Sayfutdinov, Danyon Hume, Joe Thompson.
PETERBOROUGH: Frederik Jakobsen, Hans Andersen, Benjamin Basso, Richie Worrall, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Ben Cook, Jordan Jenkins.
Words by Holeshot Media.
Images by Taylor Lanning.