IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins admits he is relying on “great guests” to keep them top of the league.
First entertains second in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership as the Witches entertain defending champions Sheffield tonight.
The Witches welcome back Dan Thompson and Adam Ellis from injury but are still missing Danny King – Scott Nicholls again guesting while Chris Harris stands-in for Jason Doyle at No.1.
Despite an injury crisis which, at one point saw four of their starting seven sidelined, the Witches have held on at the summit and reached the KO Cup final after a comprehensive aggregate victory over Birmingham.
They are also looking to lift the aggregate point having won 46-44 at Owlerton last month.
In contrast the Tigers suffered a 10-point cup semi-final first leg at King’s Lynn but have won their last three league fixtures.
British Final runner-up Tai Woffinden and GP star Jack Holder lead their challenge alongside Chris Holder.
Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “Going into the meeting without our No.1 and captain is not an ideal scenario when facing Sheffield but we have a couple of great guests coming in with Chris and Scotty.
“I’m sure everyone will be looking forward to Emil (Sayfutdinov) battling with the big stars from Sheffield. They are bringing a lot of big names and I think it is going to be one hell of a meeting, a classic.”
Opposite number Simon Stead added: “Ipswich is never an easy place to go but we’re looking to go get a result.
“We know we’ve got to improve from Thursday but we’ll be gunning for them.”
Ipswich: Chris Harris, Dan Thompson, Scott Nicholls, Adam Ellis, Emil Sayfutdinov, Keynan Rew, Jordan Jenkins.
Sheffield: Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Tai Woffinden, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes.
Words by George Dodds.
Images by Taylor Lanning.