Newcastle v Scunthorpe preview

ON-FORM Danny Ayres is the last member of the HEB Scunthorpe Scorpions to suffer an injury and he will miss tonight’s visit to Newcastle (Sunday, 6.30pm).

Ayres suffered a shoulder injury after a fall while practicing at the Eddie Wright Raceway yesterday (Saturday). While he has picked up a knock, he isn’t expected to be ruled out for a long time.

Ayres, on account of his recent form, had been moved to a heat-leader position at No 3, but that will now be covered by Jordan Stewart.

Scorpions are still without both Jake Allen, who he requires more time to recover from his shoulder injury, and Jason Garrity is out with a broken bone in his hand.

Ty Proctor replaces Garrity, while Scorpions will utitlise rider replacement for Allen, with everyone entitled to take a ride. David Wallinger comes in for the retired Josh Bailey at No. 6.

Scorpions’ promoter Rob Godfrey said: “I don’t know when our luck is going to change. We’d moved Danny Ayres to No 3, because he deserved to be at that number and his form completely justified it, but he’s had an off while practicing and he will miss today’s meeting at Newcastle.

“We were aiming to get something out of the meeting, even if it was just a point, and that’s still the plan.”

Expected teams for today:

Newcastle Diamonds: 1. Steve Worrall, 2. Max Clegg, 3. Lasse Bjerre, 4. Matthew Wethers, 5. Thomas Jorgensen, 6. Jacob Buckhave, 7. Danny Phillips.

HEB Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Rider replacement for Jake Allen, 3. Jordan Stewart (guest), 4. Stefan Nielsen, 5. Ty Proctor (guest), 6. David Wallinger (guest), 7. Ryan Kinsley.